Regular self-examination is now the norm for breast cancer and testicular cancer, but how often do you examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer? And if you did, would you know what to look for?

Mouth cancer is the sixth most common malignancy reported worldwide – and one with a high mortality rate.

In most countries, the ailment is more common in men than women. However, in Germany, the UK and France, this statistical trend is reversing, with more women being diagnosed every year.

Smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco, areca or betel nut is associated with 70 to 80% of mouth cancer cases.

In the UK, one person dies every three hours and statistics are comparatively high throughout the rest of Europe. These numbers amount to more cases per year than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined. Yet, many of us don’t know what mouth cancer looks like and its presence, often painless, frequently goes unnoticed.

“A survey that the BDHF carried out in 2007 showed that 25% of people don’t recognize mouth cancer as a disease that can kill them,” said Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF). “Unfortunately most people only realize they have a problem when they have had mouth cancer for a while. A vital message that the BDHF wants to get across is that people need to take action. They need to know what to look for and have regular check-ups.”

Mouth cancer can develop in any part of the mouth including the tongue, gums, tonsils, lining of the mouth, lips and upper part of the throat. The most common symptom is a mouth sore or a persistent white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth that does not heal within three weeks.

Smoking as a major cause

Although there no apparent lifestyle triggers in 25% of cases, over 70% are associated with smoking, drinking alcohol, over exposure to the sun and chewing tobacco, areca or betel nut. While the death rate has halved for men over 70, it has steadily increased for younger men and women in their 30s, 40s and 50s. And experts warn that some strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually implicated with cervical cancer, has contributed to the rise in younger people.

 1 2 3 Next >