What are the symptoms of mouth cancer?

This page is about the symptoms of mouth cancer. There is information about

The most common symptoms of mouth cancer
Other symptoms
Screening for mouth cancer

The most common symptoms of mouth cancer are

A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal
Discomfort or pain in the mouth that doesn't go away

Mouth cancer can also cause

White patches anywhere in your mouth (leukoplakia)
Red patches anywhere in your mouth (erythroplakia)
A lump on the lip, tongue or in the mouth or throat
Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
Pain when chewing or swallowing
A feeling that something is caught in the throat
Unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth
Loose teeth
Dentures feeling uncomfortable and not fitting properly
A change in your voice
Speech problems
Weight loss
A lump in the neck

White or red patches can be signs of precancerous changes. Precancerous cells are abnormal, but they are not yet cancer. If left untreated, precancerous changes can go on to develop into cancer. But if you get the condition treated, you can prevent a cancer from developing.

There is no official screening programme, but checking for mouth cancer should be part of your 6 monthly routine dental check up. You can ask your dentist to do this next time you go for an appointment.

We have detailed information about mouth cancer.