Oral health: How to spot the signs of mouth cancer at home – ‘it could save your life'
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Loading... - Jordan Thompson
- 04 May 2022
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According to Cancer Research UK one in 55 men and one in 108 women will be diagnosed with a form of mouth, or oral, cancer in their lifetime. While this doesn’t make mouth cancer as common as breast, prostate, lung, or bowel cancer, it is still a condition that needs to be taken seriously. Statistics also suggest just under 50 percent of mouth cancer cases are preventable. However, if a case can’t be prevented, the next best scenario is for it to be detected early.
The Oral Health Foundation says there are a number of things a person can do at home including conducting regular checks of the mouth.
They also suggest looking out for:
• Ulcers that do not heal within three weeks
• Any unusual red or white patches
• Lumps in the neck or jaw area
• Persistent hoarseness.
Should a person experience these symptoms they recommend consulting with a dentist or doctor.
The Oral Health Foundation says even if nothing is seriously wrong checking could “save your life”.
Overall it is considerably better to get something checked and for it to be nothing rather than leaving a lump and discovering, six months later, something could have been done to treat the condition.
One of the benefits of mouth cancer is both doctors and dentists are qualified to check for the disease, providing an extra diagnostic avenue.
Dentists will normally carry out a mouth cancer examination as part of a dental check-up.
However, in order for a check-up to be conducted, there first has to be a dentist to do it.
NHS England are warning of dental deserts forming.
In recent months, patients have reported struggling to get dental appointments.
So far over 2,000 dentists have left the NHS since last year compared with 95 the year before.
As a result of the exits, patients are now struggling more than ever to get dental appointments with some patients waiting three years.
Around four million people are estimated to be without access to NHS dental care. Read More…
