What is this lump in his mouth, is it cancer? please help me!?!

What is this lump in his mouth, is it cancer? please help me!?

my dad has had a lump in his mouth for over a week. He is 45 and has smoked since the age of 12 and has done drugs in the past. He also has quite a poor diet. We went to the hospital and all they said was for him to take some aspirin and it would be gone the next morning. My dad took this and it has still not gone, if anything it has gotten worse. He refuses to go to the dentist and i am very worried about what it may be. Please tell me the truth and dont 'sugar coat' it. I want to know what is wrong with my dad and what can i do?

3 weeks ago
it is growing yes and it is painful and also my dad says he cannot eat because of it

Oral squamous cell carcinoma affects about 30,000 Americans each year. Ninety percent are smokers. Alcohol is also a risk factor. Early, curable lesions are rarely symptomatic; thus, preventing fatal disease requires early detection by screening. Treatment is with surgery, radiation, or both. The overall 5-yr survival rate is 52%.
Symptoms of Oral cancer.
Skin lesion, lump, or ulcer:
* On the tongue, lip, or other mouth area
* Usually small
* Most often pale colored, may be dark or discolored
* May be a deep, hard edged crack in the tissue
* Usually painless initially
* May develop a burning sensation or pain when the tumor is advanced
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
* Tongue problems
* Swallowing difficulty
* Mouth sores
* Abnormal taste
You should have the soft tissue of the mouth examined once a year. Many oral cancers are discovered by routine dental examination.
Other tips:
* Minimize or avoid smoking or other tobacco use
* Minimize or avoid alcohol use
* Practice good oral hygiene
* Have dental problems corrected
Please see the web pages for more details on Oral cancer.