White spots on the tongue could be a sign of oral cancer

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Doctors advise you to regularly examine your oral cavity.

The habit of checking the condition of your mouth is very useful – it helps to notice signs of various medical problems, including cancer, in a timely manner. It is symptomatic that recently, oral cancer has become an oncological disease, the incidence of which is steadily increasing. This is largely due to the fact that traditional causes, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, are rapidly being replaced by new risk factors – in particular, the human papillomavirus (HPV). The alarming warning was shared by general practitioner Rachel Ward in an interview with The Sun.

According to the doctor, when examining the mouth, you need to pay special attention to the appearance of white spots on the tongue that do not go away when trying to influence them physically. These spots, known as leukoplakia, can be a sign of oral cancer, the doctor said.

“White spots on the tongue are not always cancer, they are often benign. But such spots can be precancerous, so they need to be shown to a dentist or therapist,” said Dr. Ward.

The specialist added that approximately one in three cases of oral cancer is associated with the appearance of a lesion on the tongue, and one in four – lesions on the tonsils. In addition, malignant formations can occur on the lips, gums, inside the cheeks, and on the palate.

The doctor also listed other signs of oral cancer that you need to know about.

• A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks.
• Red spots in the mouth.
• Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, or in the neck or head.
• A hoarse voice that has appeared and has become persistent.