Oral cancer screening is a simple visual and physical examination of the mouth, lips, tongue, gums and throat to look for signs of cancer or pre-cancerous changes. In India, where mouth cancer is common due to tobacco and areca nut use, regular screening can help find problems early, when treatment is most successful.
Who Should Be Screened?
- Tobacco smokers or chewers
- Users of gutka, paan, khaini or areca nut
- Regular alcohol users
- People over 30 with risk habits
- Those with a history of pre-cancerous lesions
- People with reduced mouth opening
- Anyone with a non-healing mouth sore
India's national programmes recommend oral screening for adults, especially those with risk factors.
What Happens During Screening?
- The doctor looks inside your mouth with a light
- Checks the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, floor of mouth and palate
- Feels for lumps in the mouth and neck
- Asks about habits and symptoms
It is painless and quick.
What Are Doctors Looking For?
- White patches (leukoplakia)
- Red patches (erythroplakia)
- Non-healing ulcers
- Lumps or thickened areas
- Reduced mouth opening (oral submucous fibrosis)
- Enlarged neck lymph nodes
What If Something Is Found?
- A biopsy may be taken
- Some pre-cancerous lesions are monitored closely
- Others may be removed
- If cancer is diagnosed, staging tests and treatment planning follow
How to Self-Check at Home
- Use a mirror and good light
- Check lips, gums, cheeks and tongue, including underneath
- Look at the roof and floor of your mouth
- Feel for lumps in the mouth and neck
- Do this once a month
Report any change lasting more than two weeks.
How Can You Lower Your Risk?
- Quit tobacco and areca nut in all forms
- Limit alcohol
- Maintain oral hygiene
- Visit a dentist regularly
- Eat fruits and vegetables
Key Takeaways
- Oral cancer screening is quick and painless.
- Tobacco and areca nut users need regular checks.
- White and red patches can be pre-cancerous.
- Biopsy confirms suspicious findings.
- Monthly self-checks help early detection.
Final Thoughts
A few minutes of screening can save lives, especially for those with risk habits. Early detection makes treatment simpler and more successful. For oral cancer assessment, you can consult Dr. Varadharajan, a surgical oncologist in Chennai.
