Mouth cancer: What are the causes and symptoms? There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. It occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. As a result, the telltale symptoms tend to reflect where in the body the disease is growing.
However, some of these signs are less well known than others. With this in mind Dr Smita Mehra, principal dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice , has shared some vital signs of mouth cancer to look for. Persistent sores or ulcers As with most of the symptoms on this list, having ulcers doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer but it is still worth getting them checked.
Dr Mehra said: “While not every sore or ulcer in the mouth is indicative of cancer, it is important to have any persistent or unusual sores evaluated by a healthcare professional if they haven’t left within two weeks.” READ MORE Study pinpoints ideal meal for preventing cancer - and what to avoid Certain signs in the mouth could signal cancer (Image: Getty) Unexplained bleeding As cancerous tumours grow, they can invade and damage surrounding tissues. She said: “This can cause blood vessels to become fragile and rupture easily, leading to bleeding.
Mouth cancer can often cause chronic inflammation, which can make the tissues more prone to bleeding. “When combined with other symptoms such as persistent sores, lumps, pain, or difficulty swallowing, it can be an indication of oral cancer.” Chronic bad breath (halitosis).