Mouth cancer in the UK is no longer rare. The latest figures show more than 11,000 new cases a year, double compared to a generation ago.
For men, it is now ranked among the top ten most common cancers in the UK. But perhaps most alarming: over half of all mouth cancers are diagnosed at stage III or IV, when treatment is much more difficult.
November marks Mouth Cancer Action Month, and health experts are calling for greater awareness and more frequent self-checking in a bid to improve early diagnosis.
Why early detection matters
The difference in outcomes between early and late detection is huge. According to the Oral Health Foundation, survival rates can improve dramatically when the diagnosis is prompt.
Chief executive of the charity, Dr Nigel Carter, says: “If something in your mouth doesn’t look right or won’t go away, get it checked. Early diagnosis dramatically increases your chances of survival and a good quality of life.”
The warning signs &ndash… Source by Oral Health Foundation Read More
