November is Mouth Cancer Action Month
Dentistry@68 are very pleased to support Mouth Cancer Action Month held from 1st November to 30th November every year.
This charity campaign from the Mouth Cancer Foundation aims to raise the awareness of mouth cancer, helping to make people more aware of the symptoms and signs and to ensure they feel comfortable discussing any issues with their Dentist. If cancers are detected earlier then we can increase survival rates.
Over 6,500 people in the UK were diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, throat, head & neck last year. It is expected that another 60,000 will be diagnosed in the next decade with half of these sufferers dying from the disease. That makes mouth cancer one of only a few cancers in the UK that is actually predicted to increase in the coming years!
What causes mouth cancer?
More than 2000 people in the UK die each year as a result of Mouth cancer- making it a bigger killer than both testicular and cervical cancer put together.
Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer although there are a number of factors which can significantly increase your risks:
• Tobacco and alcohol are thought to be two of the biggest causes of mouth cancers- with those who smoke and drink up to 30 times more likely to be diagnosed.
• Mouth cancer is twice as common in men than in women- though this gap is closing.
• People over the age of 40 are more likely to be diagnosed although young people can still be affected.
• Poor diet has been linked to mouth cancer.
• Multiple sexual partners can increase your risk of exposure to HPV which has also been linked to mouth cancer.
What to look out for:
Mouth ulcers that have been present for more than 3 weeks, red and white patches in your mouth or throat, lumps, pain when swallowing, loose teeth, bleeding in the mouth and voice changes are all symptoms of mouth cancer. Be aware that cancer can occur in your lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, jaws, glands and throat.
If you have any concerns at all then get them checked out by your Dentist. If caught and treated early then the chances of beating mouth cancer are good.
So what can I do to prevent Mouth cancer?
It’s important to take good care of your mouth- ensuring you clean your teeth and gums regularly and look out for changes in your mouth.
Living a healthy lifestyle can help- avoid drinking and smoking and ensure you have a good diet which includes lots of fruit and vegetables. Remember to visit your dentist regularly so that they can also spot early signs.
Why not book a mouth cancer check with your Dentist. It’s a quick and painless way for them to check for anything unusual. They will thoroughly examine the inside of your mouth including your lips, gums and tongue. They will also feel around your jaw and neck to check for lumps.
If you’d like to help Mouth Cancer Awareness then there are a number of ways you can get involved- whether you want to increase awareness of the campaign or would like to help raise money to enable continued research.
See http://www.mouthcancer.org for information on cycling and walking events, extreme challenges and other initiatives such as dress down days that can be done by anyone regardless of fitness, age or gender.