Mouth Cancer

If In Doubt Get Checked Out

Early detection saves lives.

The five year survival rate of mouth cancer patients is just 50%.

BUT early diagnosis gives patients a 90% survival.

Regular visit to the dentist will ensure you are professionally screened for signs of mouth cancer. At each dental assessment we will check for mouth cancer and consider risk factors.

Look out for:

• Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
• Red and white patches in the mouth
• Unusual lumps or overgrowth of tissue in the mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in chewing or moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
• A feeling that something is caught in the throat
• A chronic sore throat or voice change (hoarseness) that persists more than six weeks, particularly smokers over 50 years old and heavy drinkers
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
• Neck swelling present for more than three weeks
• Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for  more than three weeks - see a dentist urgently
• Persistent nasal (especially unilateral)l nasal obstruction, particularly associated with mucus (clear, purulent or bloody) discharge causing difficulty breathing through nose
• Unexplained persistent earache

Remember "If In Doubt, Get Checked Out."

If your mouth is a concern make an appointment immediately and make sure we know your worries.

KNOW THE RISKS – PREVENTION IS KEY

Lifestyle choices can prevent this significant threat.

SMOKING, CHEWING TOBACCO, ARECA NUT, PAAN and GUTHKA are main risks.

• ALCOHOL can be deadly. Drinking and smoking to excess raises risk by up to 30 times as alcohol aids absorption of tobacco into the mouth.
• POOR DIET has been linked to mouth cancer. Make sure you get your five-a-day fruit and vegetables. Evidence shows that extra portions of fruit and vegetables reduce the risk still further, as can fish and eggs.
• HPV – the human papilloma virus (HPV), transmitted via oral sex, is a growing threat as a mouth cancer cause. Experts suggest it may rival tobacco and alcohol as a major cancer cause within 10 years.

Sadly risk knows no boundaries in relation to mouth cancer.

A growing number are developing the disease without displaying any traditional risk factors – underlining the need for check-ups and self-examination.

Men were once five times more likely to develop mouth cancer – now they are just twice as likely.

The age group affected is falling as younger people than ever are diagnosed.