Mouth cancer screening is crucial for early detection, which significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Early diagnosis allows for less invasive treatment options and a better chance of recovery.
Regular screenings, especially for those with risk factors like tobacco or alcohol use, are vital for catching potential issues early.
Screening helps identify abnormal areas in the mouth and throat before they become advanced, leading to more effective treatment.
Early detection dramatically improves the chances of survival. Patients with advanced disease have a much lower chance of being cured.
Early detection allows for less aggressive treatment options, such as simple surgery, compared to more extensive procedures and radiotherapy needed for advanced cases.
Early detection minimises the impact on speech, swallowing, and overall quality of life, which can be severely affected by advanced mouth cancer treatment.
Screening provides reassurance, especially for those at higher risk, knowing that potential issues are being monitored.
Research conducted more recently has identified a link between mouth cancer and the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer and affects the skin that lines the moist areas of the body.
HPV can be spread through oral sex, and this latest research now suggests that HPV could soon rival smoking and drinking as one of the leading causes of mouth cancer.
Are you worried about mouth cancer?
If you are concerned about mouth cancer and have noticed any changes in your oral health or have questions, please contact us today.
Practising safe sex and limiting the number of partners you have may help reduce your chances of getting HPV. Many people get HPV during their lives, and for many, this does not cause a problem. In a positive move that will hopefully help reduce this risk, HPV vaccines for both girls and boys are now being introduced as routine. Although initially developed to fight cervical cancer, they will likely also help to reduce the rates of mouth cancer. These vaccines are given at ages 12 to 13 before sexual activity starts.
According to figures published by the Oral Health Foundation, more than 8,300 people in the United Kingdom are now diagnosed with mouth cancer every year – an increase of almost 50% in the last decade.
The latest figures available reveal that mouth cancer claimed 2,722 lives in the UK last year. Sadly, many of these deaths occurred because the disease was caught too late.
The biggest factors by far in mouth cancer are tobacco and alcohol. Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking are the main forms of tobacco use in many parts of the world and can all increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
As well as smoking, consumption of alcohol also increases the risk of mouth cancer, with the risk even greater if tobacco and alcohol are used together.
Like the rest of your skin, over-exposure to sunlight is also a risk factor and can increase the risk of cancer of the lips.
We encourage everyone to be aware of any unusual changes in the mouth and know what to do if anything out of the ordinary is noticed.
Our dental consultant advise that: “The first line of defence against mouth cancer is yourself. Being able to identify mouth cancer at an early stage is vital for you being able to beat it.”
We encourage everybody to check their mouths regularly, paying particular attention to mouth ulcers that do not heal within three weeks.
Other possible signs of mouth cancer are red and white patches in the mouth and lumps and swellings in the head and neck.
Everyone should consider regular mouth cancer screenings, especially individuals with risk factors like:
It is generally recommended to have a mouth cancer screening at least once a year, or more frequently depending on individual risk factors, as part of your regular dental check-up.
A dentist or dental professional will visually examine your mouth, lips, gums, tongue, inner cheeks, and the roof and floor of your mouth for any signs of abnormalities. They may also palpate (feel) your neck and jaw area for any unusual lumps or swelling. Special tools like lights or dyes may be used in some cases. If any suspicious areas are found, further diagnostic tests or a biopsy may be recommended.
