Published on: 28 October 2021
Specialists will be working to help share lifesaving advice to help people catch cancer early as a month-long campaign is set to begin.
Mouth Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout November and will see oral health promoters from South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust raise awareness by raising the issue as they carry out their regular work.
Last year, 8,772 people in the UK were given the life-changing news that they had mouth cancer.
These numbers continue to rise, while the disease claims more lives than cervical and testicular cancer combined.
Pauline Wright, one of the Trust’s Oral Health Promoters, will be among the team helping to share information which can help people spot the warning signs of the disease and take preventative steps to reduce their risk.
She said: “It is important that everyone knows how to spot mouth cancer early as, with early diagnosis, the chances of surviving are nine out of 10.
“The advice is ‘If in doubt, get checked out’.
“Check regularly for any unusual changes in the mouth and act quickly when you spot something out of the ordinary by seeing your doctor or dentist.
“People should also regularly visit their dentist for check ups."
Signs and symptoms of mouth cancer can include:
- Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
- Red and white patches in the mouth
- Lumps and swelling in the mouth or head and neck area
Up to 90% of all mouth cancers are linked to lifestyle factors.
This means that, with a few small changes, you can help cut your chances of developing mouth cancer.
Causes linked to mouth cancer include:
- Smoking - Smoking tobacco increases your risk of developing mouth cancer by up to 10 times, compared with never-smokers
- Alcohol - Drinking alcohol to excess increases your risk of mouth cancer and is linked to just under a third (30%) of all mouth cancers
- Diet - Around a third of mouth cancers are thought to be linked to an unhealthy diet and a lack of vitamins and minerals. It is recommended people eat a healthy, balanced diet including lots of fruit and vegetables each day. Increasing evidence also suggests that Omega 3, found in foods such as eggs and fish, can help lower risk. Foods high in fibre such as nuts, seeds, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice, are also said to do the same.
- HPV - Reports have linked mouth cancer to the Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV can be spread through oral sex and research suggests that it could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the main causes of mouth cancer. Practicing safe sex and limiting the number of partners you have may help reduce your chances of contracting HPV.
Mouth Cancer Action Month is organised by the Oral Health Foundation and highlights the important message of being ‘mouthaware’.
For more information visit https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/ or watch a video on how to check your mouth here - https://youtu.be/Y6QkKhEjS5M.
