Mouth and throat cancers (also called oral and oropharyngeal cancers) can be serious, but they are much easier to treat if caught early. In fact, when these cancers are detected at early stages (Stage I or II), the survival rate is over 80%. The good news is you can perform a simple self-examination at home to look for warning signs. This guide will explain the risk factors, show you a step-by-step self-exam procedure, describe common symptoms to watch for, and advise when to seek medical care.
Certain habits, infections, and conditions can increase your risk of developing oral or throat cancer. Knowing these risk factors can help you understand your level of risk:
Tobacco use – Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, as well as using chewing tobacco or snuff, is the single biggest risk factor for mouth/throat cancer. The more years you use tobacco, the higher your risk.
Heavy alcohol use – Frequent, heavy drinking also raises the risk. Alcohol and tobacco together are especially dangerous – using both multiplies the risk of these cancers significantly.
HPV infection – Infection with certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus, is linked to throat cancers (particularly cancers of the tonsils and base of tongue). HPV type 16 is a known cause of many oropharyngeal (throat) cancers.
Age over 45-50 – Mouth and throat cancers usually take many years to develop. Most people diagnosed are over age 55. Risk increases as you get older (especially after 45).
Being male – Men are about twice as likely to develop oral or throat cancers as women. This may be due to historically higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use in men (though the gap is closing).
Poor diet – A diet low in fruits and vegetables is associated with a higher risk of these cancers. A healthy diet with plenty of produce may help lower risk.
Prolonged sun exposure – Spending a lot of time in the sun without lip protection increases the risk of lip cancer. (Using lip balm with SPF is a good precaution.)
Weak immune system or chronic irritation – People with weakened immunity (for example, from certain illnesses or immunosuppressant medications) have a higher risk. Also, long-term irritation in the mouth – such as from ill-fitting dentures or sharp/broken teeth rubbing the cheek or tongue – has been suggested to raise risk slightly.
Keep in mind: Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will get cancer – most people with risk factors do not develop it. Likewise, it’s possible to get mouth/throat cancer even with no known risk factors. However, if you have risk factors (especially tobacco or heavy alcohol use), it’s wise to be extra vigilant about regular self-checks and dental exams.
Regular self-exams can help catch early changes in your mouth or throat. Experts recommend doing a self-exam about once a month. Pick a time when you can spare a few minutes in a good light. This exam is easy to do with a bright light (or flashlight) and a mirror. It helps to remove any dentures or partials so you can see all areas. Wash your hands before you begin, since you’ll be using your fingers to feel inside your mouth.
Follow these steps to examine your mouth and throat:
Check the neck and face: Stand in front of a mirror and look at your face and neck. Do you see any swelling, lumps, or asymmetry (one side different from the other)? Using the pads of your fingers, feel both sides of your neck—along your jawline and down the sides—for any lumps, bumps, or tenderness. Also feel under your lower jaw (sub-mandibular area) for enlarged lymph nodes (glands). Normal neck tissue is usually soft and the same on both sides. If you feel a firm lump on one side that isn’t on the other, take note of it.
Examine your lips and gums: Pull your lower lip down and use the mirror to look at the inner side of your lip and the front part of your gums. Look for any sores, discoloration (such as red or white patches), or swelling. Next, use your thumb and forefinger to feel the inside of your lip and gum for any lumps or thick areas. Repeat this on your upper lip by lifting it up to check the inner lining of the upper lip and gums. (If you have dentures, do this step with dentures removed.)
Check inside your cheeks: Using your fingers, gently pull your cheek away from your teeth so you can see the inside lining of the cheek. Look for red or white patches, sores, or any spots that look different from the surrounding area. Then place your index finger inside your cheek and your thumb on the outside, and feel the cheek tissue by pressing and rolling your fingers together. Do this for both sides. You are checking for any lumps, bumps, or tender areas within the cheek.
Inspect the roof of your mouth: Tilt your head back and open wide to see the roof of your mouth (the hard palate towards the front, and the soft palate towards the back). It may help to use a flashlight here. Look for any unusual bumps, color changes, or sores on the roof of your mouth. You can also run your clean index finger along the roof of your mouth to feel for any odd bumps or tenderness.
Examine your tongue (top and sides): Stick out your tongue as far as it goes and look at the top surface. It should be pinkish with tiny bumps (normal taste buds). Check if there are any areas that are new, such as red or white spots or any ulcer (sore). Next, examine the sides of your tongue – this is important, as many mouth cancers begin on the sides of the tongue. Using a piece of clean gauze or a washcloth, grab the tip of your tongue and gently pull it to one side, then the other, so you can see the side edges. Look for any lumps, rough areas, or discoloration on each side. You can use your finger and thumb to feel along the side of the tongue for any bumps.
Check underneath the tongue and floor of mouth: Lift your tongue up to inspect the underside (the frenulum area – where the tongue connects to the floor of the mouth). Also look at the floor of your mouth (under the tongue). Use the mirror and maybe a flashlight. Look for any red or white patches, swellings, or sores under the tongue. With a clean finger, gently press along the floor of your mouth (under the tongue) to feel for any lumps or hardened areas.
Look at the back of your throat: Open your mouth wide and say “ahh” (this helps lift your soft palate) while looking in the mirror. Check the back of your throat, including your tonsils and the back of your tongue, as far as you can see. It might help to shine a flashlight toward the back of your mouth. Look for any unusual redness, swelling, lumps, or patches in your throat area. You might not have a perfect view (and you don’t need to force yourself to gag), but see if anything looks asymmetric or persistently irritated. Also note if one tonsil seems much larger than the other or if there’s a visible growth.
Take your time and go through all the steps to cover each area of the mouth and throat. A complete self-exam should only take about 5–10 minutes. Remember: you are looking for anything unusual for you – such as a new spot, a change in color or texture, a lump that wasn’t there before, or a sore that isn’t healing.
Performing this exam monthly helps you become familiar with what’s normal for your mouth. That way, you’ll be more likely to notice if something changes. If you do notice something odd (for example, a new red patch or a lump) during your self-check, make a note of it. Then check again in two weeks to see if it’s still there or has grown. In the next sections, we’ll go over specific signs and symptoms to watch for, and what to do if you find them.
During your self-exam (and in general), keep an eye out for the following common symptoms or visible signs of mouth and throat cancer. These are the kinds of changes that could indicate a problem (though they could also be caused by something less serious – see next section). If you notice any of these, pay attention and consider getting a professional evaluation:
A sore that doesn’t heal: This can be a sore on the lip, tongue, or anywhere in the mouth that hasn’t healed after about two weeks. Cancerous sores often persist and may even enlarge or bleed over time.
Red or white patches: A white patch (leukoplakia) or red patch (erythroplakia) on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth can be an early warning sign. These patches are usually painless. Watch for any persistent patch that is new for you, especially if it’s mixed red and white.
Lump or thickening: Any lump, bump, or thick area in the cheek, on the tongue, on the lip, or even on the throat or neck can be a warning sign. This includes a growth in the mouth or a swollen lymph node in the neck that doesn’t go away. It might feel like a hard knot.
Sore throat or trouble swallowing: A persistent sore throat that doesn’t get better or a constant feeling that something is stuck in your throat can be a symptom of throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. Likewise, difficulty swallowing or chewing, or pain when swallowing, is a potential warning sign. (Some people start changing their diet to softer foods without noticing it, due to trouble swallowing.)
Changes in voice or hoarseness: An ongoing hoarse voice or a change in your voice that lasts more than a couple of weeks could indicate a problem in the throat or larynx. If your voice has become raspy without a clear reason (like a cold) and it persists, get it checked.
Numbness or pain: Unexplained numbness in the tongue, lip, or other areas of the mouth is another possible. Also, any persistent pain in the mouth or tongue that isn’t from an obvious cause (like biting your tongue) should be noted – oral cancers can sometimes cause pain, but not always.
Ear pain (especially one-sided): A pain in the ear on one side, without hearing loss, can sometimes be a referred pain from a throat tumor. Many throat cancer patients report ear ache on one side that doesn’t go away. If you have chronic ear pain on one side with a normal ear exam, mention it to your doctor.
Changes in teeth or dentures: Loose teeth (if previously healthy) or a change in the way your dentures fit can be a sign of an underlying growth in the jaw or gum. For example, a tumor in the gum or palate might push teeth causing them to loosen, or make dentures uncomfortable or suddenly not fit well. If your dentist can’t find a dental cause for a loose tooth, they might investigate for other causes.
These are some of the most common symptoms associated with mouth and throat cancers. Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have cancer – many of these signs can be caused by much less serious issues. For instance, you could have a sore that doesn’t heal quickly because of an infection or biting your cheek, or a persistent sore throat from acid reflux or an allergy. However, if any symptom is lasting more than two weeks, or is worsening, you should get it checked by a healthcare professional.
It’s always better to play it safe when it comes to your health. You should see a doctor or dentist for an evaluation if you notice any of the warning signs above lasting more than two weeks. A two-week timeframe is a common rule of thumb, because most minor problems (like canker sores or mild infections) will improve in that time. If a mouth sore, lump, or other symptom persists beyond 2 weeks (or gets bigger), don’t wait—get it checked.
Additionally, seek medical attention sooner (right away, not waiting two weeks) if you have a significant symptom that's worrying you – for example, a rapidly growing lump, difficulty swallowing that interferes with eating, or any symptom that is causing serious discomfort or concern. Trust your instincts: if something feels off and especially if you are in a high-risk group (like a heavy smoker over 45), schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor.
When you go for a professional evaluation, the provider will perform a thorough exam of your mouth and throat. They have special tools and expertise to assess any suspicious areas (including doing a biopsy if needed, which means taking a small sample to test in the lab). Remember that most often, these symptoms turn out to be caused by something other than cancer (such as a benign ulcer or an infection). But only a medical professional can determine that, so it’s important to get checked. If it is cancer, catching it early greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and cure.
Bottom line: Do your self-exams regularly, stay aware of the risk factors and warning signs, and don’t hesitate to see a healthcare provider if you find anything worrisome. Early detection can save lives, and taking a few minutes to check your mouth each month is a simple, potentially life-saving habit. If you’re ever unsure about something you see or feel in your mouth, it’s perfectly okay to call your dentist or doctor – they can guide you on next steps or schedule you for a quick check. Taking charge of your oral health in this way helps ensure that if a problem does arise, you’ll catch it as soon as possible.
American Cancer Society – Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Comprehensive list of oral/throat cancer symptoms and advice to see a doctor if issues last more than 2 weekscancer.orgcancer.org.
American Cancer Society – Risk Factors for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers: Overview of proven risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, HPV, age, and male gender (twice the risk in men)cancer.orgcancer.org.
Mayo Clinic – What is mouth cancer? (Expert video transcript by Dr. Katharine Price): Risk factors include tobacco, heavy alcohol use, HPV infection, poor diet, chronic mouth irritation, and weakened immune systemmayoclinic.org; also symptoms like a sore that doesn’t heal, red/white patch, lump, ear pain, or difficulty swallowing (if lasting >2 weeks, see a doctor)mayoclinic.org.
Mayo Clinic – Tongue cancer – Symptoms and causes: Highlights that tobacco is the single largest risk factor for oral cancers, with heavy alcohol as another major factor (especially combined, they sharply increase risk)mayoclinic.orgmayoclinic.org. Also notes higher risk in men and people over 45mayoclinic.org, and lists symptoms like non-healing tongue sores, pain, lumps, and difficulty swallowing.
Head & Neck Cancer Alliance – Head & Neck Self-Exam Guide: Emphasizes that early detection (stage I/II) yields over 80% survivalheadandneck.org and recommends monthly self-exams. Provides a simple 4-step self exam (check neck, lips/cheeks, gums, tongue/throat) and advises seeing a doctor for anything unusual over 2 weeks
