Mouth cancer affects around 6,000 people per year in the UK and kills more people than breast cancer and cervical cancer, often because it is detected too late.  Recent high profile sufferers of the disease have included Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, BBC Presenter Danny Baker and former England Football Captain Bryan Robson. Mouth cancer is increasing rapidly, and affecting a greater number of younger people and women.

Mouth cancers can affect any area of the mouth including the tongue, gums, and cheeks.  The main risk factors are smoking and drinking to excess.  In combination they increase the risk of getting mouth cancer by 38 times.  Other risk factors include chewing tobacco, paan, supari and gutka, and excess sun exposure to the lips. 

Recent studies have also linked mouth cancer with the human papilloma virus (HPV) spread by oral sex and people with multiple sexual partners are most at risk.

Ken Wragg, Director of Dental Public Health at NHS Rotherham said: “If mouth cancer is detected early people are more likely to survive and treatment is simpler. 

“You can reduce your risk of getting mouth cancer by stopping smoking or chewing tobacco, gutka, paan or supari; drinking alcohol within the recommended limits of no more than 2-3 units a day for women or 3-4 units a day for men, practising safer sex and using sunscreen on the face and lips.”

Regular dental check-ups are vital in picking up mouth cancer at an early stage.  In particular people are urged to visit their dentist if they suffer from any of the following symptoms:

• A mouth sore or ulcer that does not heal within 3 weeks.
• A lump or swelling in the mouth, jaw or neck for over 3 weeks.
• Red or white patches in the mouth.
• Numbness in any area of the mouth orlips.

For help in registering with an NHS dentist in Rotherham, telephone the NHS dental helpline on 01709 423030.

More information about Mouth Cancer Awareness Month can be found on the British Dental Health Foundation website:  http://www.mouthcancer.org/