Each year, approximately 8,500 new cases of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer are diagnosed in the UK. Our aim for Oral Cancer Awareness Month is to make you aware of:
What Is Oral Cancer and Where Can It Occur?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that develops anywhere in and around the oral cavity, including the tongue, cheek, gums, throat and lips. It can also take place in locations that are harder to see like the roof of the mouth and beneath the tongue.
Risk Factors
Smoking and alcohol are known as the most common causes of oral cancer.
Whilst most know that smoking is a cause of oral cancer, the significance of the risk it contributes is sometimes undermined. Smoking tobacco can increase your risk of developing mouth cancer by up to 10 times, compared to those who have never smoked. Whilst it is possible for non-smokers to develop oral cancer, around 60% of the diagnoses have been linked to smoking.
Not everyone who drinks alcohol will develop mouth cancer, however excessive alcohol consumption is linked to 30% of all mouth cancers. Smoking and alcohol together increases the risk by up to 30 times.
To help reduce the risk factors of alcohol the UK guidelines recommend a maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week.
Making the choice to cut down or even better quit smoking will help reduce the likelihood of you developing oral cancer.
Prevention
Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake are both significant prevention methods, however there are other actions you can take to ensure you maintain are healthy mouth.
A healthy diet, regular physical activity and routine visits to the dentist (even if you have no teeth/dentures) all take part in protecting you from mouth cancer.
Signs To Look Out For
It is rare for us to take a good look inside of our mouth, and even if we do it is unlikely we know what we are on the look out for. For this reason it is super important we are taking regular trips to the dentist where a professional check can be carried out during your routine check up.
More silent signs include:
More obvious signs are:
Early Detection
Catching oral cancer in the earlier stages is important as it can lead to more successful treatment options and a higher survival rate.
Your dentist will advise you on the best recall period for your routine check-ups, the most common is 6 months. These regular visits will mean your dentist if needed, can flag, refer or keep an eye on signs they deem suspicious as early as possible.
Here at Brixworth Dental, your care is our commitment.
Protect your smile, save your life.
