Be mouthaware – it could save your life

British Dental Health Foundation launches Mouth Cancer Action Month

The number of people being diagnosed with the mouth cancer has skyrocketed in recent years yet very few of us know anything about it. As a result, the British Dental Health Foundation has launched a campaign to urge everybody to be more aware of the changes that occur inside the mouth while reminding us ‘if in doubt, get checked out’.

Today (1 November), the Foundation launches Mouth Cancer Action Month in a bid to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage by increasing education about the potential warning signs and symptoms, as well as the factors that could put us most at risk.

Mouth cancer is one of the UK’s fastest increasing cancers, with cases rising by a third in the last decade alone but the oral health charity know that too many are being diagnosed at a late stage, significantly reducing our chance to beat the disease.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, explained how being Mouthaware could save your life: “The number of people in the UK being diagnosed with mouth cancer every year is rapidly approaching 7,000. Sadly, through a lack of awareness and late diagnosis, far too many lives are lost to the disease. Survival rates have not improved in the last thirty years and mouth cancer now takes more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined.

“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area , can all be potential signs of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.

Early warning signs and symptoms of mouth cancer

Mouth cancer can strike in a number of places, including the lips, tongue, gums and cheek.

Look out for:

• Mouth ulcers that does not heal within three weeks.
• Red or white patches in the mouth.
• Unusual lumps or swellings.

If in doubt, get checked out by your dentist or doctor.

“Early diagnosis transforms our chances of beating the disease from 50 per cent to 90 percent so it is crucial that we know what to look out for and that we do not hesitate in seeking advice from a health professional.

“Quite often it is easier to notice lumps and bumps on the outside of the body or to dismiss a mouth ulcer as benign. Most of us will spend at least a few minutes every day in front of a mirror while brushing our teeth so while we’re there it makes sense to have a quick look inside the mouth.

“If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please do not hesitate to visit your dentist or a doctor.”

Although factors such as tobacco, drinking alcohol to excess, poor diet and human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted through oral sex, increase our chances of developing mouth cancer, it is a disease that can affect anybody.

“Traditionally mouth cancer was a disease that mostly diagnosed in men over 40, but now we are seeing far more women and younger people developing the disease,” added Dr Carter.

“If through Mouth Cancer Action Month we can help save just one life through early detection then the campaign will be deemed a success.”

Mouth Cancer Action Month is being sponsored by Denplan.