This event is organised each year by the British Dental Health Foundation to help raise public awareness of Oral Cancer.
Many people are unaware of Oral cancer and also of the risk factors associated with the disease, unlike other better known cancers such as lung cancer or cervical cancer.
The Basic Facts
On average 6500 new cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year.
Over 1900 people die from the disease in the UK each year.
People are more likely to die from mouth cancer than other better known diseases such as malignant melanoma or cervical cancer. The main reason for this is that the disease is often diagnosed too late.
What do I look for?
Mouth cancer presents in many ways. The most common would be a mouth ulcer that does not heal within around 3 weeks.
Other signs could be a white or red patch in the mouth which again is there for more than 3 weeks.
What causes mouth cancer?
Like many other cancers the risk factors are similar.
- Excessive alcohol intake particularly the strong spirits such as whiskey or vodka.
- Tobacco use such as smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipe smoking but also chewing tobacco, betel quid, gutkha and paan are particularly dangerous.
- Smoking together with alcohol consumption at the same time is a particularly high risk factor.
- The human papillomavirus (HPV), often transmitted via oral sex. This virus is also strongly linked to cervical cancer
- Poor diet low in vitamin A C and E
- Over exposure to sunlight can cause cancer on the lips
How can I reduce the risk and keep my mouth healthy?
The easy way to stay healthy is to avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco. Practice safe sex by avoiding sleeping with multiple partners and always use a condom. Eat a healthy diet to ensure you get all the vitamins that you require.
When going out in the sun apply sun screen to your lips.
Finally ensure that your mouth is checked regularly by your dentist.
The Good News.
Mouth cancer when detected early can often be cured .Most of the severe cases of mouth cancer are due to late diagnosis. At Eckington Dentist we thoroughly examine your mouth at each examination. We are able to check the areas of your mouth which you cannot always see yourself such as underneath your tongue and the back of the mouth.
This is one of the benefits of regular dental health checks.
Remember that if you wear dentures then you should still have your mouth checked at least once a year. It is important that should you get an ulcer from a rubbing denture which does not appear to be healing that this is checked by your dentist. Often it just means that the denture needs adjusting and the ulcer will then heal,
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