I post regularly about Mouth Cancers, lots of useful information. I wish I'd known someone like me to follow before my daughter Cath got that fatel tongue ulcer that she left for 8 weeks. We had no idea of any of this information. Nor did Cath's friends. Our hearts broke when Cath passed away only 25 years old. 1. What are the early signs of tongue cancer? Persistent sore or ulcer on the tongue that doesn’t heal Pain or discomfort in the mouth White or red patches on the tongue Difficulty swallowing or speaking 2. What causes tongue cancer? Tobacco use (smoking or chewing) Heavy alcohol consumption Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection Poor oral hygiene Genetic factors 3. Is tongue cancer painful? It may start as a painless sore but can become painful as it progresses. 4. How is tongue cancer diagnosed? Physical examination Biopsy (removal of a small tissue sample for testing) Imaging tests (CT scan, MRI, PET scan) 5. Can tongue cancer be cured? If detected early, it can often be treated successfully with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. 6. How fast does tongue cancer spread? It varies, but some cases can be aggressive, especially if linked to smoking or HPV. 7. What are the treatment options for tongue cancer? Surgery to remove the tumor Radiation therapy Chemotherapy (for advanced stages) Targeted therapy or immunotherapy in some cases 8. What is the survival rate of tongue cancer? It depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage cases have a higher survival rate (around 70-80%), while advanced cases have lower survival rates. 9. Can you prevent tongue cancer? Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol Maintain good oral hygiene Get vaccinated for HPV Have regular dental check-ups Carry out your own daily checks 10. What does tongue cancer look like? A non-healing ulcer / canker sore, a lump, or a white/red patch that may bleed easily. If you find anything of concern, is not normal for you and cannot be explained and has not healed after 3 weeks get it checked out. It might be nothing but early detection is crucial. #knowthesigns #tongue #oralcancer #mouth #cancer - @ypearson_dying_to_talk