Pipe smoking in particular has been linked to cancer in the part of the lips that touch the pipe stem. Frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol increases the risk of head and neck cancer.

Using alcohol and tobacco together increases this risk even more. Prolonged sun exposure. High exposure to the sun, without sun protection measures, is linked with cancer in the lip area. Human papillomavirus HPV. Research shows that infection with the HPV virus is a risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer.

In recent years, HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer in the tonsils and the base of the tongue has become more common. Sexual activity, including oral sex, with someone who has HPV is the most common way someone gets HPV.

There are different types of HPV, called strains. Research links some HPV strains more strongly with certain types of cancers. It is likely that receiving an HPV vaccination before exposure to HPV can reduce the risk of oropharynx cancer see below.

Men are more likely to develop oral and oropharyngeal cancers than women. People older than 45 have an increased risk for oral cancer, although this type of cancer can develop in people of any age. Poor oral hygiene. Lack of dental care and not following regular oral hygiene practices may cause an increased risk of oral cavity cancer.

Poor dental health or ongoing irritation from poorly fitting dentures, especially in people who use alcohol and tobacco products, may contribute to an increased risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancers.

Regular examinations by a dentist or dental hygienist can help detect oral cavity cancer and some oropharyngeal cancers at an early stage. A diet low in fruits and vegetables and a vitamin A deficiency may increase the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Weakened immune system. People with a weakened immune system may have a higher risk of developing oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Marijuana use. Recent studies have suggested that people who have used marijuana may be at higher-than-average risk for head and neck cancer.

Different factors cause different types of cancer. Researchers continue to look into what factors cause oral and oropharyngeal cancers, including ways to prevent it. Although there is no proven way to completely prevent this disease, you may be able to lower your risk.

Several of the risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancers can be avoided by making healthy lifestyle choices. Stopping the use of all tobacco products is the most important thing a person can do to reduce the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancers, even for people who have been using tobacco for many years.

Another way to reduce your risk of developing oropharynx cancer is to reduce your risk of contracting HPV. It is likely that receiving an HPV vaccination before exposure to HPV can reduce the risk of oropharynx cancer.

The Gardasil 9 vaccine helps prevent infection from HPV, HPV, and 5 other types of HPV linked to cancer. In the United States, the vaccine is approved for anyone between the ages of 9 and The U.

Centers for Disease Control CDC recommends HPV vaccination for everyone through the age of 26 if not already vaccinated. Some adults between the ages of 27 and 45 who have not already been vaccinated may decide to get it after reviewing their risks for infection and the benefits of the vaccine with their doctor.

Even if you already have 1 type of HPV, the vaccine may protect you from types of HPV you do not have. Another way to reduce your risk of HPV infection is to limit your number of sexual partners.

Having many partners increases the risk of HPV infection. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruit each day protects against oral cancer. Carotenoids are substances found in yellow and orange vegetables and fruit as well as dark green vegetables. Studies show that carotenoids lower the risk of oral cancer by limiting damage to cells in the mouth.

Good mouth care means keeping all of your mouth, including your teeth, gums and tongue, clean and healthy. Brush your teeth after meals and before you go to bed. Floss your teeth every day. If you wear dentures, clean them every day.

Your dentist can help find and treat problems in the mouth that could lead to cancer. Some people have a higher than average risk for oral cancer. This includes people who have already had oral cancer, who are at a higher risk of developing another oral cancer.

Talk to your doctor about your risk. Learn what you can do to prevent cancer. The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer. ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy. Home Cancer information Cancer types Oral Risks Reducing your risk Print.

Reducing your risk for oral cancer. See topics Oral cancer What is oral cancer Risks Signs and symptoms Diagnosis Grading Staging If cancer spreads Prognosis and survival Treatment Supportive Care Statistics.

Oral cancer What is oral cancer Risks Signs and symptoms Diagnosis Grading Staging If cancer spreads Prognosis and survival Treatment Supportive Care Statistics.

You may lower your risk of developing oral cancer by doing the following. Be a non-smoker and avoid smokeless tobacco. Limit alcohol.

Avoid chewing betel quid or areca nut. Get vaccinated against human papillomavirus HPV. Reduce your exposure to HPV. Protect yourself from the sun. Eat vegetables and fruit. Practise good mouth care. More information about preventing cancer. References D'Souza G and Dempsey A.

The role of HPV in head and neck cancer and review of the HPV vaccine. Preventive Medicine. Elsevier; Mayne, S. Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx. Schottenfeld, D. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. New York: Oxford University Press; National Cancer Institute.

FactSheet: Human Papillomavirus HPV Vaccines.

And because you can get HPV from a single sexual encounter, Al-Khudari also recommends practicing safe sex. Lip cancer is directly related to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight, and people who work outdoors and have prolonged exposure to the sun are more likely to develop lip cancer.

Just as skin can burn easily, the lips are also sensitive to the sun," Al-Khudari says. In addition to limiting sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a. and 2 p. Also, wear hats that shield your face from the sun. If you experience any of these symptoms, Al-Khudari says, visit your primary care doctor as soon as possible.

Preventing Oral Cancer. Many oral mouth and throat cancers can be prevented with sensible self-care and healthy lifestyle choices. Home RUSH Stories Preventing Oral Cancer. Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share via Email.

The number of patients under 50 years old has been steadily increasing; and sometimes, these cancers occur in young adults in their 20s and 30s. Patients who survive a first encounter with the disease have a higher risk of developing a second, related cancer.

That increased risk can last for 5 to 10 years. Biopsy is the only way to properly diagnose oral and oropharyngeal tumors and lesions.

Although these various types of cancers can be found in one small area of the body, each type has different causes and treatments. Patients on immunosuppression medications — typically those who had an organ transplant — have an increased risk of head and neck cancer.

Keeping your mouth and throat healthy The good news is that even at the later stages, these cancers are still very treatable. Here, Al-Khudari offers five preventive tips: 1.

Steer clear of tobacco. Drink alcohol in moderation. See your dentist regularly. If you have a history of severe sunburns, take extra care with your lips. Just as skin can burn easily, the lips are also sensitive to the sun. Get vaccinated for HPV.

Shield your lips from the sun. Symptoms of oral cancer In general, warning signs of mouth and throat cancers include the following: Sores in the mouth that don't heal Bleeding in the mouth that lasts more than a week Slow-growing lumps in the mouth or neck Pain in your mouth lasting more than two weeks Dramatic voice changes, especially in smokers Persistent earaches in both ears Numbness of the lower lip and chin If you experience any of these symptoms, Al-Khudari says, visit your primary care doctor as soon as possible.

Related Stories. New Potential Immunotherapies for Pancreatic Cancer. Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available. Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, forms in the oral cavity, which includes all parts of your mouth that you can see if you open wide and look in the mirror.

Your lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth. Oral cancer forms when cells on the lips or in the mouth mutate. Most often they begin in the flat, thin cells that line your lips and the inside of your mouth. These are called squamous cells.

Small changes to the DNA of the squamous cells make the cells grow abnormally. These mutated cells accumulate, forming a tumor that grows in the mouth and often spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Oral cancer is curable if detected at an early stage.

And like other cancers, a large amount of effort has been dedicated to determining causes and improving treatments. The average age of those diagnosed with oral cancer is However, it can affect anyone.

There are several known risk factors that could increase your risk of developing oral cancer. If you use any kind of tobacco, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and others, you're at a greater risk.

Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk. Those with HPV, human papillomavirus, have a higher chance of developing oral cancer as well.

Other risk factors include a diet that lacks fruit and vegetables, chronic irritation or inflammation in the mouth, and a weakened immune system. Oral cancer can present itself in many different ways, which could include: a lip or mouth sore that doesn't heal, a white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth, loose teeth, a growth or lump inside your mouth, mouth pain, ear pain, and difficulty or pain while swallowing, opening your mouth or chewing.

If you're experiencing any of these issues and they persist for more than two weeks, see a doctor. They'll be able to rule out more common causes first, like an infection. To determine if you have oral cancer, your doctor or dentist will usually perform a physical exam to inspect any areas of irritation such as sores or white patches.

If they suspect something is abnormal, they may conduct a biopsy where they take a small sample of the area for testing. If oral cancer is diagnosed, your medical team will then determine how far along the cancer is, or the stage of the cancer.

The stage of the cancer ranges from 0 to 4 and helps your doctor counsel you on the likelihood of successful treatment. In order to determine the stage, they may perform an endoscopy, where doctors use a small camera to inspect your throat, or they may order imaging tests, like CT scans, PET scans, and MRIs, to gather more information.

What your treatment plan looks like will depend on your cancer's location and stage, as well as your health and personal preferences. You may have just one type of treatment or you may need a combination of cancer treatments. Surgery is the main treatment for oral cancer. Surgery generally means removing the tumor and possibly lymph nodes in the neck.

If the tumor is large, reconstruction may be required. If the tumor is small and there's no evidence of spread to lymph nodes, surgery alone may be enough treatment. If the oral cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the neck or is large and invading different areas of the mouth, more treatment is required after surgery.

This could include radiation, which uses high-power beams of energy to target and destroy the mutated cancerous cells. Sometimes chemotherapy is combined with the radiation.

Chemotherapy is a powerful cocktail of chemicals that kills the cancer. Immunotherapy, a newer treatment which helps your immune system attack the cancer, is also sometimes used.

Learning you have oral cancer can be difficult. It can leave you feeling helpless. But remember, information is power when it comes to your health. This disease is survivable - now more than ever.

Be informed. Take control of your health. And partner with your medical team to find a treatment that's right for you. If you'd like to learn even more about mouth cancer, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic. We wish you well. Mouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth.

Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth oral cavity. Mouth cancer can occur on the:.

Cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth is sometimes called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. Mouth cancer is one of several types of cancers grouped in a category called head and neck cancers.

Mouth cancer and other head and neck cancers are often treated similarly. Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that bother you and last more than two weeks.

Your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes for your signs and symptoms first, such as an infection. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion.

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Mouth cancers form when cells on the lips or in the mouth develop changes mutations in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The mutations changes tell the cells to continue growing and dividing when healthy cells would die.

The accumulating abnormal mouth cancer cells can form a tumor. With time they may spread inside the mouth and on to other areas of the head and neck or other parts of the body.

Mouth cancers most commonly begin in the flat, thin cells squamous cells that line your lips and the inside of your mouth. Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. It's not clear what causes the mutations in squamous cells that lead to mouth cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk of mouth cancer.

There's no proven way to prevent mouth cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of mouth cancer if you:.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society , there is convincing evidence that the following factors increase your risk for oral cancer.

Find out how. Skip to main content Key Takeaways The risk of developing oral cancer increases as you get older. There are several lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Oral cancer can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. In , an estimated: 5, Canadians will be diagnosed with oral cavity cancer.

What is oral cancer? Oral cancer refers to all cancers of the oral cavity, which includes the following: Lips and tongue Teeth and gums The lining inside the lips and cheeks The roof and the floor of the mouth Most oral cancers happen on the sides of the tongue, floor of the mouth and lips.

Symptoms Oral cancer symptoms include: A sore on the lip or in the mouth that does not heal. A lump on the lip or in the mouth or throat. A white or red patch on the gums, tongue or lining of the mouth.

Unusual bleeding, pain or numbness in the mouth. A sore throat that does not go away, or a feeling that something is caught in the throat. Difficulty or pain with chewing or swallowing. Swelling of the jaw causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable. Common risk factors According to the Canadian Cancer Society , there is convincing evidence that the following factors increase your risk for oral cancer.

Smoking and chewing tobacco. Most oral cancers are linked to tobacco use, particularly if combined with heavy alcohol consumption. The more you drink, the greater your risk. Using alcohol and tobacco together increases the risk of developing oral cancer more than using either one alone. Betel quid and areca nut contain cancer-causing substances.

People who chew betel quid or areca nut have a higher risk of developing oral cancer, especially in the inner lining of the cheeks and lips.

Sun exposure increases the risk of developing lip cancer. This is especially true for people who work in the sun for long periods of time. Infection with HPV increases the risk of oral cancer. This could include radiation, which uses high-power beams of energy to target and destroy the mutated cancerous cells.

Sometimes chemotherapy is combined with the radiation. Chemotherapy is a powerful cocktail of chemicals that kills the cancer. Immunotherapy, a newer treatment which helps your immune system attack the cancer, is also sometimes used. Learning you have oral cancer can be difficult. It can leave you feeling helpless.

But remember, information is power when it comes to your health. This disease is survivable - now more than ever. Be informed. Take control of your health. And partner with your medical team to find a treatment that's right for you. If you'd like to learn even more about mouth cancer, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic.

We wish you well. Mouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth. Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth oral cavity.

Mouth cancer can occur on the:. Cancer that occurs on the inside of the mouth is sometimes called oral cancer or oral cavity cancer. Mouth cancer is one of several types of cancers grouped in a category called head and neck cancers. Mouth cancer and other head and neck cancers are often treated similarly.

Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that bother you and last more than two weeks. Your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes for your signs and symptoms first, such as an infection.

There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion.

You can unsubscribe at any time. Click here for an email preview. Error Select a topic. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.

If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices.

You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest about cancer news, research, and care. Mouth cancers form when cells on the lips or in the mouth develop changes mutations in their DNA.

A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The mutations changes tell the cells to continue growing and dividing when healthy cells would die. The accumulating abnormal mouth cancer cells can form a tumor. With time they may spread inside the mouth and on to other areas of the head and neck or other parts of the body.

Mouth cancers most commonly begin in the flat, thin cells squamous cells that line your lips and the inside of your mouth.

Most oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. It's not clear what causes the mutations in squamous cells that lead to mouth cancer. But doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk of mouth cancer.

There's no proven way to prevent mouth cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of mouth cancer if you:. Mouth cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview What is mouth cancer? A Mayo Clinic expert explains Learn more about mouth cancer, also called oral cancer, from oncologist Katharine Price, M. A Mayo Clinic expert explains Hello, I'm Dr.

Lip cancer Enlarge image Close. Lip cancer Lip cancer may appear as a sore on your lip that doesn't heal. Mouth cancer — white patches Enlarge image Close. Mouth cancer — white patches Mouth cancer signs may include bleeding, swelling, white patches or redness in your mouth. Mouth cancer — red sore Enlarge image Close.

Mouth cancer — red sore Mouth cancer signs may include red sores that don't heal. Request an appointment. Email address. Thank you for subscribing Your in-depth coping with cancer guide will be in your inbox shortly. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry.

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Scar tissue in throat caused by radiation and chemo treatment Replies Thu, Feb 08, chevron-right. Husband diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Show references Flint PW, et al. Malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Nov. Head and neck cancers.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Rochester, Minn. Lip and oral cavity cancer treatment PDQ. National Cancer Institute.

The oral cancer exam. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Cancer-related fatigue.