Cancer Screening
Oral Cancer Risk Screen
India-focused oral cancer awareness — tobacco, areca, alcohol, and warning signs.
This is a risk-factor and warning-sign checklist about the mouth, built for this site rather than a validated questionnaire. It asks about tobacco in any form, areca nut (supari), alcohol, and mouth changes such as a non-healing ulcer or a white or red patch. It is for adults who use these products or have noticed a change in their mouth and want to know whether to get it looked at.
- Do you use tobacco in any form (cigarettes, bidi, gutka, khaini, paan with tobacco)?
- Do you consume alcohol regularly?
- Do you chew areca nut (supari) even without tobacco?
- Non-healing ulcer or sore in the mouth >2 weeks?
- White or red patches inside the mouth?
- Difficulty or pain swallowing?
- Has a doctor or dentist mentioned leukoplakia or submucous fibrosis?
What your score means
Any warning sign — High risk — see a dentist now. A non-healing ulcer, a white or red patch, difficulty swallowing, or a previous mention of leukoplakia or submucous fibrosis needs urgent review by a dentist or oral surgeon. Do not wait for it to settle.
2–3 points, no warning sign — Moderate risk. Risk factors are present. Stop tobacco/areca nut where possible and arrange an oral examination with a trained provider.
0–1 points, no warning sign — Lower risk. No warning signs and few risk factors reported. Keep avoiding tobacco and areca nut, and have your mouth checked if anything changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can this checklist tell me if I have oral cancer?
No. It only points out risk factors and warning signs. Only a dentist or doctor can examine your mouth and arrange a biopsy if one is needed.
When should I see a doctor or dentist urgently?
If you have a mouth ulcer or sore that has not healed in two weeks, a white or red patch, a lump, loose teeth, numbness, or pain or difficulty swallowing, get it examined now rather than waiting.
Is areca nut a risk even without tobacco?
Areca nut (supari) is treated as a risk to the mouth on its own, which is why it is asked about separately here. Chewing it can also lead to stiffness of the mouth.
How often should I get my mouth screened?
This self-check is not a substitute for an oral examination. India's current NCD programme recommends trained-provider oral cancer screening for adults aged 30–65 and at least once every five years for adults 30 and above; people with tobacco/areca/alcohol risk or mouth warning signs should be assessed sooner.