Oral cancer can develop in various parts of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, and floor of the mouth. Early detection is crucial, as it significantly improves treatment success. Regular dental or medical checkups—at least twice a year—are essential for identifying unusual changes before symptoms become obvious.

Symptoms may be subtle or absent initially, making routine screenings especially important for high-risk individuals such as smokers and heavy drinkers. Warning signs include persistent mouth sores, unusual lumps, difficulty chewing or swallowing, changes in tissue color, bleeding, numbness, or unexplained pain.

If untreated, oral cancer can spread beyond the mouth, worsening health outcomes. Treatment depends on the cancer stage and may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or combinations thereof.

Experts like Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit stress the importance of awareness and timely professional care to increase the chances of successful recovery.