Oral cancer makes up about 3% of newly diagnosed cancer cases per year in the United States. Oral cancers can involve the tongue, lining of the mouth (also known as the oral mucosa), gingiva (rarely) and back of the throat (pharynx).
Common symptoms may include numbness, pain, and the development of areas of discoloration.
Risk factors include age, smoking, alcohol consumption, HPV infection and sun exposure.
Your dentist is trained to screen and diagnose oral cancers.
Get more information at: www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-cancer
