JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery offered free oral cancer screenings on Wednesday at the Jackson Medical Mall.

According to health officials, oral cavity and oropharynx cancers are on the rise, especially in adults younger than 45 who have no history of risk factors such as tobacco or alcohol consumption.

“These are people who have never used tobacco and are not alcohol users,” said Dr. Gina Jefferson, head and neck surgical oncologist at the UMMC. “The rise of oral cavity cancer is primarily among young adults.” 

Cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx most commonly appear on the tongue, tonsils, soft tissues of the throat, gums and the floor of the mouth. They can also occur on the lips, roof of the mouth and minor salivary glands. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, about 59,660 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, causing more than 12,000 deaths. Health officials said these cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women, likely due to higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use among men. The average age at diagnosis is 65, but more than 20% of cases occur in people younger than 55. 

Historically, smoking and drinking alcohol have been the biggest culprits behind these cancers.

The American Dental Association recommends a dental checkup every six months. Dentists and hygienists are often the first to notice abnormal lesions or ulcers that could be signs of early cancer.  

Symptoms to watch for include non-healing sores in the mouth, sore throat, difficulty or pain while swallowing, coughing up blood, trouble managing saliva, a muffled voice or persistent one-sided ear pain.