What Is the First Sign of Lip Cancer?

Lip cancer is the most common type of oral cancer that a person can be diagnosed with. According to the American Cancer Society, studies show that lip cancer mostly occurs in individuals who are frequently exposed to the sun and who may have a lighter skin complexion.

Causes

• Some factors that can contribute to the development of lip cancer are exposure to excessive sunlight and smoking. Vitamin deficiency can also be a factor.

Symptoms

• The first sign of lip cancer is the appearance of a sore or an ulcer on the lip. These sores will grow into the underlying tissues of the lip. An individual may also notice some pain in the area as well. This is especially true for individuals who smoke or drink alcohol.

Diagnosis

• In order to properly diagnosis a case of lip cancer, the physician will do a biopsy, which is taking a small sample of tissue from the lip. This tissue will be analyzed in a laboratory in order to determine what type of cells, cancerous or non-cancerous, may be involved.

Treatment

• Lip cancer can be treated by surgically removing the cancerous area from the lip. In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy can be used in order to kill the cancer cells and to prevent them from spreading to other parts of the body.

Prevention

• In order to prevent lip cancer from occurring, it is best to stop smoking and only drink alcohol in moderation. When exposed to the sun, protect your lips by using a high SPF lip balm.