Oral Cancer Check At Home: 8 Steps And What To Look For

Face: Stand in front of a mirror and check for any swellings or changes in mole size or colour. Turn your head to the side to check for visible lumps or swellings.

Neck: Use your fingertips to feel for any lumps, pain, or changes in consistency on both sides of your neck.

Lips: Pull your upper and lower lips to expose the inner side. Look for sores, ulcers, or colour changes. Feel for lumps or texture changes with your fingers.

Gums: Use your index finger and thumb to check for lumps, texture changes, or pain inside and outside your gums.

Cheeks: Open your mouth widely and pull each cheek away. Look for ulcers or red or white patches, and feel for lumps or pain with your index finger.

Tongue: Gently pull out your tongue and check each side for swelling, ulcers, or colour changes. Lift the tip to check the underside against the roof of your mouth.

Floor of Mouth: Lift your tongue to check the area below for colour changes or ulcers. Use your index finger to feel for lumps or ulcers.

Roof of Mouth: Tilt back your head and open wide to check for colour changes or ulcers on the roof of your mouth. Use your finger to check for texture changes.

When Should You Visit A Doctor?

If you notice anything unusual during the steps mentioned above

Swollen glands

Repeated episodes of a cold or sore throat

Every adult requires an annual, complete examination for early signs of oral cancer at least once a year.

Inputs by: Dr. Parikshith Jayaprakash, Medical Oncologist at Sunrise Oncology Centre