Heavy smokers and drinkers over the age of 40 are at a higher risk for oral cancer, as are African-American males.
Men are twice as likely as women to develop a cancer in the mouth and throat region.
The patient is asked to stick the tongue out of the mouth and the examiner carefully palpates it for signs of ulceration or hardness. The examiner depresses the tongue with a tongue blade, and the rear of the mouth is inspected for the presence of discharges, masses or ulceration.