Hesperian Health Guides
Cancer
Any sore or bump that does not heal within 2 weeks may be cancer. The tongue, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, and the insides of the cheeks are the places in the mouth where cancer starts most often. Also check the lips, the soft part of the roof of the mouth, and the gums.
Cancer is deadly
Cancer can spread quickly to the inside of the person’s body where you cannot see it. This can lead to the person’s death. But cancer can be treated if you notice it early. For more information see The New Where There is No Doctor Cancer chapter.
Treatment:
Whenever you treat a sore and it does not get better, send the person for medical help immediately. A doctor can cut out a piece from the sore, look at it under a microscope, and decide if it is cancer. If it is cancer, the person will need specialized treatment.