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By Dr. Irene Ann Shibu, Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon | American Hospital Clinics Doha | QCHP D10082
Oral cancer sits where we can see it and feel it. Yet the average time between first symptom and diagnosis is six months or more. The reason, consistently, is dismissal. At American Hospital Clinics Doha, Dr. Irene Ann Shibu provides specialist oral and maxillofacial assessment, in-clinic biopsy, and coordinated treatment planning — because early-stage oral cancer is highly curable and late-stage is not.
Sore in your mouth for more than 3 weeks?
Book an Oral Assessment Today
Warning Signs That Must Not Be Dismissed
- A sore that does not heal: Any ulcer or lesion in the mouth persisting beyond three weeks. Three weeks without healing is the threshold.
- White or red patches (leukoplakia or erythroplakia): Persistent patches that cannot be scraped off. Red patches carry higher malignant potential than white ones.
- A lump or thickening: Anywhere on the cheek, tongue, lip, or floor of the mouth.
- Persistent hoarseness or sore throat: Beyond two weeks without an obvious cause.
- Difficulty swallowing or chewing: New or worsening difficulty not explained by dental problems.
- Unexplained numbness or pain: In the lip, tongue, or floor of mouth without a clear dental cause.
- A neck lump: A new, persistent lump in the neck not resolving within 3 to 4 weeks — even without an obvious lesion in the mouth.
Stage 1 oral cancer: five-year survival above 80%. Stage 4: around 30 to 40%. The difference is almost entirely determined by when the patient presents. Three weeks of not healing is the threshold. Come in.
Symptoms Women Often Do Not Attribute to Perimenopause
✔ Hot flushes and night sweats — sudden waves of heat, flushing, and sweating that disrupt sleep
✔ Irregular periods — cycles becoming unpredictable in timing, flow, and duration
✔ Sleep disturbance — driven by night sweats or direct hormonal effect on sleep architecture
✔ Brain fog and memory difficulties — word-finding problems and poor concentration, one of the most distressing symptoms
✔ Mood changes — anxiety, irritability, emotional reactivity that feel disproportionate. These are hormonal, not personal failures
✔ Joint pain — oestrogen decline causes new or worsening joint aches, often confused with early arthritis
✔ Vaginal dryness and discomfort — due to thinning of vaginal tissue. Highly treatable, but under-reported
Oral Health Assessment — American Hospital Clinics Doha
Limited-time offer for first-time patients. Call +974 44038777 to confirm availability.
| Package Name | Includes | Price (QAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Health Screening |
|
From 150 QAR |
| Specialist Oral Surgery Assessment |
|
From 300 QAR |
| Full Body Health Checkup |
|
159 QAR |
| Easy Friday Health Checkup |
|
89 QAR |
| Wellness Checkup |
|
49 QAR |
Who Is at Higher Risk?
✔ Tobacco users of any kind — including smokeless tobacco (paan, naswar), common in South Asian communities in Qatar
✔ Regular alcohol consumption — risk multiplies significantly when combined with tobacco
✔ HPV infection (HPV-16) — now the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer in younger, non-smoking patients
✔ Chronic sun exposure to the lower lip — relevant for outdoor workers in Qatar’s intense sun
✔ Age over 40 and male sex — though HPV-associated cancers are shifting the demographic younger
Medically reviewed and endorsed by:
Doctor’s Review & Clinical Oversight
This content is reviewed and endorsed by:
Dr. Irene Ann Shibu
Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
QCHP License QCHP D10082
American Hospital Clinics, Qatar
"Oral cancer does not ask to be noticed. A white patch, a sore that will not heal, a lump you can feel with your tongue — these are not nothing. They are signs that require professional assessment, not wishful thinking. The window for simple, curative treatment is early stage. Three weeks of not healing is enough reason to come in."
Free Oral Cancer Screening for High-Risk Patients This Month
LIMITED-TIME OFFER
Smokers, regular alcohol users, and patients with persistent oral symptoms receive a complimentary oral cancer screening at American Hospital Clinics Doha this month.
Limited time offer for first-time patients. Call +974 44038777 to confirm availability.
What Happens at an Oral Cancer Assessment at American Hospital Clinics Doha
Complete Oral Examination
Dr. Irene Ann Shibu examines all mucosal surfaces — floor of the mouth, tongue, soft palate, and tonsillar pillars — areas often inadequately examined in a routine dental check.
Biopsy of Suspicious Lesions
The only way to confirm or exclude malignancy. Performed under local anaesthesia in-clinic. Definitive results typically within a few days.
Imaging if Indicated
CT, MRI, or PET scan to assess depth of invasion and lymph node involvement.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning
All oral cancer cases reviewed with oncology, radiation therapy, and head and neck surgery for coordinated, personalised treatment planning.
Why Choose American Hospital Clinics Doha?
✔ Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon — Dr. Irene Ann Shibu, License D10082
✔ In-clinic biopsy under local anaesthesia — no hospital admission required
✔ Rapid referral pathway to oncology and head and neck surgery
✔ Complete oral cancer screening protocol
✔ Priority booking for patients with symptoms for 3+ weeks
✔ Most major Qatar insurance plans accepted
Your health is managed with precision, safety, and long-term care — by specialists who treat people, not just conditions.
What Our Patients in Doha Say
FAQs
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Book Your Oral Cancer Assessment Today
Three weeks of a sore that has not healed is enough reason. Don’t wait.
C Ring Road, Al Muntazah Street, Doha, Qatar
