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Oral / Mouth Cancer
Oral cancer is particularly common in Sri Lanka due to betel chewing, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. It affects the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat.
✅ Is It Treatable?
YES — when detected early, oral cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 80%. Stop betel chewing and tobacco use to dramatically reduce your risk.
⚠️ Warning Signs
- ●A sore in the mouth that doesn't heal within 2 weeks
- ●White or red patches on gums, tongue, or mouth lining
- ●Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw
- ●Unexplained numbness or pain in the mouth
- ●A lump or thickening in the cheek
🔴 Risk Factors
- ●Betel quid chewing with tobacco
- ●Smoking or smokeless tobacco
- ●Heavy alcohol consumption
- ●HPV infection
- ●Poor oral hygiene
- ●Chronic sun exposure (lip cancer)
🔍 Screening & Detection
Regular dental check-ups, oral visual examination, and self-examination of the mouth.
💊 Treatment Options
Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. Early-stage oral cancers have excellent outcomes with surgery alone.