November is Mouth Cancer Action Month
7500 people will be diagnosed with mouth cancer this year and of these 50% will die. Mouth cancer is one of the less commonly known cancers to most people, however an average of 18 people in the UK are diagnosed with mouth cancer each day and it is one of the few cancers where the number of cases are rising.
There are certain factors which increase the risk of mouth cancer such as smoking, alcohol intake, age, being male and performing oral sex. However, anyone can be affected by the disease and latest research has found it is becoming more common in younger people and females.
Some signs of mouth cancer:
-An ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal for a number of weeks
– Constant discomfort or pain in the mouth
– Bad breath
– A lump on the lip, tongue or neck
– Red or white patches in the mouth
– Problems with chewing or swallowing
– Loose teeth not due to gum disease
Ways to prevent mouth cancer:
– Look for changes in the mouth such as sore patches or ulcers that don’t heal within 3 weeks
– Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
– Limit alcohol consumption
– Eat a healthy and balanced diet
– Limit exposure to the sun and use sunblock on the lips
– Visit your dentist for regular check ups
If mouth cancer is diagnosed at an early stage there is a much higher chance of it being cured. The underlying message is “if in doubt, get checked out”. At Brightside Dental we carry out mouth cancer screening as part of all our oral health assessments. We will also be offering free mouth cancer screening during Mouth Cancer Action Month. For further information give us a call on 020 88884401.
To learn more about Mouth Cancer Action Month follow this link http://www.mouthcancer.org/page/home
