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Mouth Cancer If In Doubt Get Checked Out

28 November 2011

Don't take chances with your oral health - it could save your life

With Mouth Cancer Awareness month drawing to a close, oral health and the role that dentists can play in the early detection of terminal diseases has never been so important.

Mouth Cancer Action estimates that over the next decade around 60,000 people in theUKwill de diagnosed with the disease.  Without early detection an estimated 30,000 people will die.

As with most illnesses many people think that mouth cancer is something that won't affect them - but the reality is it can affect anyone. That is why it is so important to be aware of unusual symptoms.

Ulcers that have not healed within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings, could all be early symptoms.

The key message for Mouth Cancer awareness month is if in doubt get it checked out. Treatment can be extremely successful as long as the cancer is detected as early as possible. Treatment including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in early stages can increase patient survival rates by a massive 99 %.

Many people who experience the initial symptoms, fail to seek professional advice for fear of wasting time, but speaking as a professional who sees many different patients everyday this is certainly not the case and people should never feel this way.

By visiting your dentist at the first sign of any discomfort or pain, you are doing the right thing, if only to give you piece of mind, whatever the outcome.

Mouth Cancer awareness month really can't have come at a better time after we saw high profile Hollywood actor Michael Douglas fight a very public battle with the disease. This case certainly shows that anyone can suffer from the disease.

For more information about the different symptoms and what to look out for when spotting early signs of mouth cancer Visit Mouth Cancer Awareness Months website 

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