Every year, mouth cancer claims the lives of 2,000 people in the UK. This is higher than deaths from ovarian and testicular cancer combined. Last year over 7,000 people were diagnosed with the disease, which is equivalent to 18 people every single day.
Mouth cancer is also one of the few cancers expected to see an increase in diagnoses in the coming years. With this in mind, we’re sharing some of the signs to look out for, and advice for what to do if you spot these issues.
Mouth cancer statistics you need to know
Although there are several risk factors that will increase your chance of developing the disease – including smoking, excess alcohol consumption, poor diet and the HPV virus – mouth cancer can affect anyone. So don’t assume that because you don’t fit the profile, you are safe from this particular type of cancer.
When caught early, oral cancer is highly treatable and the survival rates are good. For stage 4 oral cancer, survival rates beyond 5 years are as low as 35%, but this jumps to more than 85% if the cancer is identified at stage 1. Your dentist is the first line of defence against oral cancer, as they are the most likely to spot it.
So, even if you don’t have any issues with your teeth, there are still benefits to visiting the dentist. Your dentist carries out essential oral cancer screening and may spot the signs even before this becomes obvious to you.
Alongside regular dental checkups, it’s vital for patients to be aware of the early signs of oral cancer so they can act quickly. This is not to cause alarm, but to ensure that you know when it’s time to go for a checkup. Remember, you don’t have to wait until your next scheduled appointment if you are concerned about any of the following symptoms:
Symptoms you should never ignore
Education is one of the best forms of defence against oral cancer. You know your mouth best, and you’ll know when something is amiss. If you spot any of the following signs, don’t panic, but make sure that you book an appointment to see your dentist soon. They will be able to examine your mouth and let you know if further action is required.
Ulcers that do not heal
A broken area of skin or ulcer that does not heal within three weeks is one of the two most common symptoms of mouth cancer. They may not necessarily be painful.
White or red patches in your mouth or throat
An abnormal-looking patch in your mouth or throat can be a sign of precancerous changes in the cells. Areas of abnormal cells may look white or red. These patches are not cancer, but if left untreated can lead to cancer developing.
A white or red patch in the mouth can also be caused by fungal infections such as thrush. The white patches of thrush usually rub away to leave a sore red patch underneath. If this is the case, your dentist will prescribe an anti-fungal treatment and if the patches go away they are not related to cancer.
Persistent discomfort or pain in your mouth
Ongoing pain or discomfort in the mouth for which you cannot fix a specific cause is the other most common symptom of mouth cancer. It might feel like something is irritating your mouth or rubbing against your gums, but you can’t find the culprit.
Difficulty swallowing
Mouth cancer can cause pain or a burning sensation when chewing or swallowing food or you may feel that food is sticking in your throat. Difficulty swallowing can be associated with a number of different conditions and it is important that if you experience this that you get it checked out by a doctor or a dentist.
Speech problems
Cancer in your mouth or throat can affect your voice. It may be quieter or sound like you have a cold. You may also have difficulty in pronouncing certain words.
A lump in the neck
You may find you have a lump in your neck caused by an enlarged lymph node. A hot, red painful lump is often a sign of infection, lumps that come and go are also unlikely to be cancerous. Cancerous lumps will normally start small and grow over time.
Other symptoms
Other symptoms can include but are not limited to a lump in the mouth or throat, unusual bleeding or numbness in the mouth, loose teeth for no apparent reason or difficulty moving the jaw.
Who is at risk of oral cancer?
As mentioned above, there are a few risk factors that will put you at higher risk of developing oral cancer. These include:
- Smokers and those who chew tobacco. These daily habits are one of the leading causes of oral cancer. If you smoke, you should consider quitting to help reduce the risk.
- Heavy drinkers. If you are a heavy alcohol user, you are putting yourself at increased risk of developing oral cancer, particularly if you also smoke.
- Exposure to HPV. This virus, particularly the HPV-16 strain increases your risk of developing oral cancer.
- Age. Unfortunately, the risk of developing oral cancer increases as we get older. Those over the age of 45 have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer.
- Sun exposure. Excessive exposure to UV light without sun protection increases your risk of developing lip cancer. This is often an area that individuals forget about when applying sun protection, so be sure to invest in a lip balm with SPF.
- Genetics. If you have a family history of oral cancer, you may want to be more vigilant of the symptoms.
Like all types of cancer, oral cancer can also strike randomly, even if you don’t fit the profile of a typical patient. This is why education is so important to help protect all patients, not just those with a predisposition for this type of cancer.
Next steps if you spot these symptoms
Many of these symptoms can be related to other – less serious – conditions, but it is important that if you experience any of the above that you get it checked out by your dentist or doctor.
Remember that survival rates are much higher the earlier the cancer is caught. So, if in doubt, get it checked out!
What will your dentist do?
First, they will complete a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and jaw. They might also ask you some questions about your lifestyle and when you first noticed the symptoms.
They might take a biopsy of any unusual cells and send this away for testing. They will also inform your GP so that you can make an appointment for further tests. It’s important not to worry at this stage, as there are lots of possible reasons you might be having this issue.
If you are worried about any of these symptoms do not hesitate to ask the dentist when you next visit. Call Leigh Dental Centre today on 01702 472929 and book a consultation.
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