Population	Asymptomatic adults aged 18 years or older
Recommendation	No recommendation
	Grade: I statement
Risk assessment	The primary risk factors for oral cancer are tobacco and alcohol use. Additional risk factors include male sex, older age, use of betel quid, ultraviolet light exposure, infection with Candida or bacterial flora, and a compromised immune system.
	Recently, sexually transmitted oral human papillomavirus infection has been recognized as an increasing risk factor for oropharyngeal cancer, another subset of head and neck cancer.
Screening tests	The primary screening test for oral cancer is a systematic clinical examination, including inspection and palpation of the oral cavity.
Treatment	Suspected oral cancer or its precursors detected on examination require confirmation by tissue biopsy. Treatment for screen-detected oral cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Balance of benefits and harms	The USPSTF found inadequate evidence on the diagnostic accuracy, benefits, and harms of screening for oral cancer. Therefore, the USPSTF cannot determine the balance of benefits and harms of screening for oral cancer in asymptomatic adults.
Other relevant USPSTF recommendations	The USPSTF has made recommendations on counseling to prevent tobacco use and screening for and counseling to reduce alcohol misuse. These recommendations are available at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/.