Dentists want to raise awareness of Oral Cancer symptoms
Oral cancer, more commonly known as Mouth cancer, is one of the biggest cancer killers. Despite having a yearly death toll higher than both cervical and testicular cancer combined, one out of every ten doesn’t even know of its existence. Dentists seek to change that soon, as this month is Mouth Cancer Action Month, in which clinics across the country are attempting to raise public awareness of the early signs of Oral cancer.
Due to the lower amount of general awareness of the disease, many cases are tragically diagnosed much too late for treatment to be successful. Mouth Cancer Action Month is a result of the desire to raise awareness, and dentists and clinics up and down in England, Scotland and Wales will be educating patients and the public where possible. They will particularly be focusing on the disease’s warning signs in order to try and diagnose more cases at an early stage. If diagnosed early enough, mouth cancer survival can increase up to ninety per cent.
Many patients do not realise that having a lingering ulcer or a sore throat for over two weeks are potential symptoms of Oral cancer. They are easy to pass off as side-effects of a cold or general annoyances, according to London dentists Dr Anna Cantlay and Dr Rhona Eskander.
Other signs to watch out for include white or red patches in the mouth, ongoing toothache, strange lumps in the throat or mouth and difficulty in swallowing. Dentists are now encouraging people who have not already done so to book regular dental check ups and, if possible, screenings for oral cancer.
The message of the month is clear: regular visits to your dentist can save your life.
As part of Mouth Cancer Action Month, many clinics are offering free oral cancer screenings during November. More information can be found at www.mouthcancer.org.
