It’s a sad fact that in the UK last year more than 8.300 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer and globally there are in excess of 300,000 new cases every year.
Mouth cancer cases are increasing and people diagnosed with mouth cancer has grown by around a third in the last decade. Mouth cancer is one of the few cancers which are predicted to continue to increase in future years.
Although risk factors such as smoking and alcohol are responsible for many mouth cancers, it is a disease that can affect anyone.
Here are 6 things you everyone should know about mouth cancer:
1) Regular visits to your dental team are so important. Attending appointments as often as they recommend makes it more likely that any problems will be caught as early as possible, including mouth cancer.
2) Mouth cancer cases are on the rise, but awareness is dangerously low. It is so important that we are more aware of the changes in our mouths and act on anything unusual by getting checked out by a dentist or doctor.
3) The earlier a problem is caught, the easier it tends to be to tackle. Mouth cancer is no exception. The smaller the affected area, the better the chances are of a full recovery. So, if in doubt, get checked out!
4) Long lasting ulcers, red/white patches and unusual lumps and bumps are three common warning signs of mouth cancer. It may be nothing but it’s always better to be safe and get checked than be sorry.
5) The everyday choices we make can affect our chances of developing mouth cancer. Smoking cigarettes significantly increases your risk of developing the disease.
6) Drinking alcohol over the recommended weekly limit will increase your chances of getting mouth cancer. Please stick within the recommended guidelines and maintain regular visits to the dentist just in case.
If you are concerned at all then please arrange an appointment with your dental team as soon as possible. Get in touch…
