Oral cancer—including cancers of the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, floor/roof of the mouth, and throat—often develops without pain in its early stages, making it easy to miss. Yet when caught early, the survival rate exceeds 80%. That’s why knowing the subtle warning signs—and acting on them—is critical.
Here are the key early symptoms that warrant a visit to your dentist or doctor within 2 weeks (not months!).
🔍 7 Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
1. A Sore That Doesn’t Heal
- A mouth ulcer, red patch, or white patch that doesn’t go away after 10–14 days.
- May look like a canker sore—but persists, grows, or bleeds easily.
2. Red or White Patches (Erythroplakia or Leukoplakia)
- Red patches (erythroplakia): Often precancerous—appear velvety and don’t wipe off.
- White patches (leukoplakia): Thick, raised areas that can’t be scraped away.
- Mixed red-and-white patches are especially concerning.
3. Lumps, Thickening, or Rough Spots
