Oral Cancer Self-examination
The AAOMS (American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons)
tells patients to perform an oral cancer self-examination if any of the
following symptoms are present:
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
- A chronic sore throat or hoarse voice that does not heal.
- Red patches in the mouth or on the tongue.
- White patches in the mouth or tongue.
- A lump or overgrowth of tissue anywhere in the mouth.
In order to complete a self examination for oral cancer, the AAOMS also
recommends that one use a bright light and mirror to perform the following:
- Look inside the lips. Feel the tissue surfaces around the lips and
cheeks.
- Look at the gums from the front and using the small mirror, look at
the tongue side through another mirror, to view the inner gums.
- By lifting your head back, look at the roof of your mouth and feel
with your forefinger if any bumps or growths are present. Also note
if any color changes are evident.
- Take a gauze or tissue and gently pull your tongue out slowly. View
all surfaces, top, bottom, sides, to see if any color changes or if
any red or white lesions are present. Also note if any other abnormal
changes are present, or if any wound takes too long to heal.
- Feel for lumps in the neck and lower jaw region, on both sides.
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Neck (head back)
With your head tilted back, look for masses or lumps.
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Neck (head upright)
With your head upright, try to feel both sides of your neck and
under your jaw.
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Lips
Feel the inside and outside of your lip, using your thumb and forefinger. Also look arefully as you do this.
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Gums
With your lips pulled away, examine all the gums
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Cheeks
Use your thumb and forefinger to pull your cheeks away from your
teeth.
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Palate
Open wide to see the back and roof of your mouth.
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Tongue
Grab the end of your tongue with a tissue or gauze. Pull your tongue
out, right, and left, and examine each surface.
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Tongue (upward)
Raise the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Check the
floor of your mouth and under your tongue.
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Always visit the dentist on a regular basis. (S)he will perform an oral
cancer screening for you. If you notice any abnormal problems or if you
are not sure, visit the dentist at once. Early detection is the key factor
in treatment success.
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