🌍 A Critical Issue—Especially in India
India bears one of the highest burdens of oral cancer in the world:
Over 77,000 new cases diagnosed annually
More than 52,000 deaths each year
Accounts for 30% of all cancers in Indian men
Why? High rates of tobacco use (smoking and smokeless forms like gutka, khaini, and paan), alcohol consumption, and HPV infection—combined with delayed diagnosis—create a perfect storm.
But you have power. By knowing the signs and acting quickly, you can change the outcome.
🔍 7 Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
(Don’t Wait—Get Checked if You Notice ANY of These)
1. A Sore That Doesn’t Heal in 2+ Weeks
A painless ulcer, blister, or red/white patch on your lip, tongue, or inside your cheek that won’t go away—even after brushing, rinsing, or topical treatment.
2. Red or White Patches (Leukoplakia/Erythroplakia)
White patches (leukoplakia): Often linked to tobacco use
Red patches (erythroplakia): More likely to be precancerous
→ These aren’t “scrapes”—they’re flat, velvety, and persistent.
3. Lumps, Thickening, or Rough Spots
Feel for unusual bumps on your gums, tongue, or inner cheeks. Cancer can feel like a hard nodule or raised area.
4. Persistent Numbness or Pain
Unexplained tingling, numbness, or pain in your mouth, lips, or tongue—especially if it’s on one side only.
5. Difficulty Chewing, Swallowing, or Moving Your Jaw/Tongue
A feeling of tightness, restricted movement, or pain when opening your mouth wide.
6. Loose Teeth or Denture Fit Changes
Without gum disease or trauma, sudden tooth mobility or dentures that no longer fit comfortably can signal bone involvement.
7. Swelling in the Neck or Jaw
A painless lump in your neck (often a swollen lymph node) can be the first sign cancer has spread.
⚠️ Key: These symptoms may not hurt—but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless.
🚩 Who’s at Higher Risk?
You’re more vulnerable if you:
Use any form of tobacco (cigarettes, bidis, gutka, pan masala, khaini)
Drink alcohol heavily (risk multiplies with tobacco)
Have HPV infection (especially HPV-16)
Have a family history of head/neck cancers
Are over 40 (though younger cases are rising due to HPV)
Have poor oral hygiene or chronic irritation (e.g., from broken teeth)
✅ What You Can Do Right Now
1. Perform a Monthly Self-Check
In good light, use a mirror to inspect:
Lips (pull them out)
Gums (top and bottom)
Tongue (top, sides, underside—stick it out!)
Roof and floor of mouth
Tonsil area
Neck (feel for lumps)
2. See a Dentist or Doctor—Sooner, Not Later
If any symptom lasts more than 2 weeks, get it checked. Don’t wait. Early detection = simpler treatment = better survival.
3. Get Regular Dental Screenings
Ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening at every visit (it takes 2 minutes and could save your life).
4. Reduce Risk Factors
Quit tobacco—all forms
Limit alcohol
Get the HPV vaccine (recommended up to age 45)
Eat more fruits and vegetables (antioxidants protect cells)
❤️ A Message of Hope
Oral cancer is serious—but not a death sentence. With early diagnosis, treatments like surgery, radiation, or targeted therapy can be highly effective, often preserving speech, swallowing, and quality of life.
In India, specialists like Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit and many oncology centers offer advanced, compassionate care—but you must take that first step.
💛 Final Thought
Your mouth is more than a place for food and words.
It’s a window to your health.
Don’t ignore the small signs. Don’t brush off the “annoying” sore.
Your vigilance today could give you decades of tomorrows.