Mouth Cancer Action Month is recognised every November, with campaigners, oral health professionals, and legislators coming together to raise awareness of mouth cancer amongst the public.
Incidence of mouth cancer has risen by 49% over the last 10 years, without significant improvements to survival rates. Largely, this is due to late detection, which is a key issue for mouth cancer, specifically, with poor awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors.
Dr Cathie Brady, dentist and President-Elect of the Oral Health Foundation, told The Probe:
“With more than 11,000 people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year, this campaign matters enormously. The Oral Health Foundation is doing vital work to help people recognise the warning signs, understand their risks and feel confident about getting checked.
“I am proud to support Mouth Cancer Action Month and would encourage every dental team to get involved this November. ‘Change is your sign’ is a simple message, but it can help people seek advice when it matters.”
There is a clear need a need for dentists to have conversations about mouth cancer with their patients, with 59% of patients unaware that dentists look for sign of mouth cancer.
Dr Brady continues:
“A patient may leave an appointment without realising you have checked for signs of mouth cancer.”
Mouth Cancer Action Month encourages clinicians to highlight the key warning signs with their patients, so that any changes are caught early. They are:
It’s important that, whilst these signs may not necessarily mean a person has mouth cancer, they should be checked by a doctor to be sure.
The Oral Health Foundation and The Mouth Cancer Foundation offer useful resources to support dentists and patients this month.
> Since you’re here, why not read about what the Budget means for dentistry?
Main image credit: Unsplash
