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According to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF), lip cancer accounts for about 0.6 percent of all cancers in the United States. The SCF also state that this type of cancer is most common in males with light skin over the age of 50 years. Common risk factors for lip cancer include prolonged sun exposure, heavy alcohol intake, and tobacco use.
Treatment options depend on the stage, size, and location of the tumor. However, lip cancer is often curable with early diagnosis and treatment. The most common symptom of lip cancer is a sore on the lips or inside the mouth that does not heal.
Other signs and symptoms of lip cancer include:
- a lump on the lips or a noticeable thickening
- painful or numb lips
- bleeding from the lips
- a red or white patch on the lips
- tightness in the jaw that results from swelling
As with other types of cancer, lip cancer may not always have obvious symptoms in the early stages. People sometimes discover that they have lip cancer during a routine visit to their dentist. The symptoms of lip cancer can be similar to those of other conditions, so it is important to see a doctor or dentist about any unexplained lesions or bleeding from the lips.
These factors include:
- heavy alcohol use
- smoking or using tobacco products
- prolonged exposure to natural or artificial sunlight, such as from tanning beds
Other risk factors for lip cancer include:
- being male
- having light-colored skin
- being over the age of 40 years
- being infected with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), including strains 16 and 18
Regular visits to the dentist increase the likelihood of detecting lip and other types of oral cancer early. It is especially important for people with a higher risk of developing lip cancer to have regular dental checkups. If a dentist suspects or discovers lip cancer, it is essential for the individual to book an appointment with their primary care provider. A doctor can fully diagnose lip cancer and work with the person to develop an appropriate treatment plan.