The Truth - Mouth Cancer

The British Dental Health Foundation, which runs UK Mouth Cancer Action Month each November, wants more attention to be paid to mouth cancers reminding people that there is a death from mouth cancer on average every 5 hours in the UK.

Oral health experts and the Foundation are advising the public to regularly check their mouths after news broke this week of actor Michael Douglas being diagnosed with oral cancer.

The Academy Award winner has recently been diagnosed with a tumour in his throat, and now faces an eight-week cause of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

This high profile case has brought oral cancers into the lime light, Douglas quit smoking in 2006, after a long 'half a packet a day' habit. Yet, the possibility of developing oral cancer remains higher for ex-smokers than non-smokers for 20 years after quitting.

Rhodri John from Absolute Dental based in Kingsbridge tells Heart about the dangers and fears of mouth cancer: CLICK HERE

Absolute Dental is so concerned about mouth cancer they are offerings free mouth cancer checks on Wednesday November 24th, all you have to do is ring up and book an appointment Tel: 01548 852 165. You don't have to be registered at their dental practice.

Tobacco is considered to be the main cause of mouth cancer, with three in four cases being linked to smoking. Drinking in excess is also a known factor, with those who both smoke and drink to excess being up 30 times more likely to be at risk.

  1. A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks
  2. A lump or overgrowth of tissue anywhere in the mouth
  3. A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
  4. Difficulty in swallowing
  5. Difficulty in chewing or moving the jaw or tongue
  6. Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
  7. A feeling that something is caught in the throat
  8. A chronic sore throat or voice change (hoarseness) that persists more than six weeks, particularly smokers over 50 years old and heavy drinkers
  9. Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
  10. Neck swelling present for more than three weeks
  11. Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for  more than three weeks - see a dentist urgently
  12. Persistent nasal (especially unilateral)l nasal obstruction, particularly associated with mucus (clear, purulent or bloody) discharge causing difficulty breathing through nose
  13. Unexplained persistent earache

For more information: http://www.mouthcancer.org/

To book a slot to have a FREE mouth cancer check: http://www.absolute-dental.co.uk/