Mouth Cancer Action Month – November 2014

In the UK, more than 6,700 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year.  The disease has grown by a third in the last decade and remains one of very few cancers which are predicted to increase further in the coming years – that’s why Mouth Cancer Action Month is so important.

Although there are risk factors heavily linked to the disease, mouth cancer can affect anybody – that’s why it’s so important that we all know what to look out for. The campaign is all about taking action. Don’t leave that ulcer unattended for more than three weeks. Don’t ignore that unusual lump or swelling or red and white patches in your mouth. Early detection could save your life.

Mouth cancer takes the lives of more than 2,000 people each year in the UK, which is more than testicular and cervical cancer combined. Mouth cancer also takes more lives a year than road traffic accidents. By knowing more about the risk factors, living healthier lifestyles and by learning what to look out we can help reduce our risk and lower the number of lives that mouth cancer effects.

Prevention is key and lifestyle choices can reduce significant threats of mouth cancer.  Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, chewing tobacco, poor diet and HPV (human papilloma virus) are all significant risk factors – those who both smoke and drink to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop the disease.

Professional check-ups and regular self-examinations are the best route to early detection of mouth cancer.  Early diagnosis saves lives, improving survival chances from just half of cases to more than 90%.

Regular visits to your dentist will ensure you are professionally screened for signs of mouth cancer.  At Priory Dental Care oral cancer screening is included at every routine dental examination.  Please feel free to ask your dentist about the process and discuss mouth cancer risk factors.

Self-examination is a simple, potentially life-saving process.  Early warning signs to look out for: –

• Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
• Red and white patches in the mouth
• Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth

Remember the campaign tagline – “If In Doubt, Get Checked Out.”

If your mouth is a concern make an appointment with your dentist or GP immediately and make sure they know your worries.  For more information on mouth cancer please visit the website: http://www.mouthcancer.org/