03/11/2025
Mouth cancer is where a tumour develops on the surface of the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, the roof of the mouth or your lips or gums.
Less commonly, tumours can develop in the glands that produce saliva, the tonsils at the back of the mouth, and the part of the throat connecting your mouth to your windpipe.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include:
• mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
• unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away
• unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions
• unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue
• sometimes, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue
• changes in speech, such as a lisp
Contact your GP surgery or dentist if these symptoms do not get better within 3 weeks, particularly if you drink or smoke.
November is mouth cancer awareness month. Find out more about the symptoms of mouth cancer here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-cancer/symptoms/
