Mouth Cancer Action – November
Mouth Cancer Action Month is every November, it is a month dedicated to the understanding of Mouth Cancer and more importantly, how to see the signs!
Here at Wilson House Dental Practice we wanted to raises awareness of #MouthCancerAction month.
Every year in the United Kingdom, around 8,300 people are diagnosed with cancer, which is about 1 in every 5 cancers diagnosed. More than 2 in 3 cases of mouth cancer develop in adults over the age of 55.
Every November, the British Dental Health Foundation organises and runs Mouth Cancer Action Month, under the message, ‘if in doubt, get checked out’. Their campaign has become an influential springboard in educating the public about mouth cancer, highlighting the risks, symptoms and causes of the disease.
The campaign is about taking action and raising awareness, particularly among those who are most at risk, so here at Wilson House we thought it best to show people the ways in which to spot mouth cancer and prevent progression of the disease.
Mouth cancer refers to cancer that develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth (oral cavity). Mouth cancer can occur on the:
- Lips
- Gums
- Tongue
- Inner lining of the cheeks
- Roof of the mouth
- Floor of the mouth (under the tongue)
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer may include:
- A lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal
- A white or reddish patch on the inside of your mouth
- Loose teeth
- A growth or lump inside your mouth
- Mouth pain
- Ear pain
- Difficult or painful swallowing
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor or dentist if you have any persistent signs and symptoms that bother you and last more than two weeks. Your doctor will likely investigate other more common causes for your signs and symptoms first, such as an infection.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of mouth cancer include:
- Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and snuff, among others
- Heavy alcohol use
- Excessive sun exposure to your lips
- A sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV)
- A weakened immune system
Prevention
There’s no proven way to prevent mouth cancer. However, you can reduce your risk of mouth cancer if you:
- Stop using tobacco or don’t start. If you use tobacco, stop. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start. Using tobacco, whether smoked or chewed, exposes the cells in your mouth to dangerous cancer-causing chemicals.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all. Chronic excessive alcohol use can irritate the cells in your mouth, making them vulnerable to mouth cancer. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure to your lips. Protect the skin on your lips from the sun by staying in the shade when possible. Wear a broad-brimmed hat that effectively shades your entire face, including your mouth. Apply a sunscreen lip product as part of your routine sun protection regimen.
- See your dentist regularly. As part of a routine dental exam, ask your hygienist to inspect your entire mouth for abnormal areas that may indicate mouth cancer or precancerous changes.
If in doubt, get checked out!
Wilson House are still open despite COVID-19 measures, we are taking patients on and are here to help people.
- The good news about oral cancer is that if you are aware of what to look for and bring it to the attention of your doctor or dentist. If you can an annual oral cancer screening, the chances of early detection increase highly and the survival rate for oral cancer is around 80 to 90 percent.
- More good news is that 70 percent of oral cancers are associated with behaviours that can be avoided or eliminated including smoking, or other types of tobacco use, and the excessive intake of alcohol.
If you have any inquiries, please get in touch.
