Mouth Cancer
The term ‘mouth cancer’ (‘oral cancer’) is used to describe cancers that are found in the mouth, on the lips and
in the throat. It is estimated that there are about 3,500 new cases of mouth cancer each year in the United Kingdom. Mouth cancers
make up between 1 and 4 of every 100 UK cancers. In other parts of the world, such as the Indian subcontinent, mouth cancers make
up about 4 of every 10.
Like a cancer in any other part of the body, mouth cancer impacts on quality of life and can cause death.
It occurs with a similar frequency to cervical cancer and skin cancer and has a high death rate. A person has a 50/50 chance of surviving
for more than five years following treatment. This is because many people do not become aware of a possible mouth cancer until it
is well advanced.
The edges of the tongue are the most common sites for mouth cancer, followed by the floor of the mouth, and the
gums towards the back of the lower jaw.
The early signs to look for are:
These early signs may be overlooked because they are painless. Later signs may include:
There are two major factors that increase the chances
of getting mouth cancer. These are tobacco (either chewed or smoked) and alcohol use. 8 in every 10 cases are linked to a person using
tobacco and alcohol together. The risk of mouth cancer is increased 35 times if you smoke more than 40 cigarettes and drink more than
four units of alcohol daily.
Being in the sun a great deal is a major cause of lip cancer.
A diet that lacks the vitamins found in
fresh fruit and vegetables is a risk for all cancers, including mouth cancer.
Self help action
A thorough mouth examination by a dentist is recommended for everyone at least once a year. During
this general review a cancer may be spotted. This examination should take place even if you have no teeth and wear a denture.
The
dentist may ask about tobacco and alcohol use, and advise on stopping or reducing the amount. Stopping tobacco and alcohol use will
not only help to prevent mouth cancer but also many other health conditions. The dentist can provide a clear explanation and answer
any questions about mouth cancer including what treatment is available and how it is arranged.
If soreness or irritation in the mouth
continues for about a month then a dentist should be consulted. If the dentist thinks you have mouth cancer he will refer you to a
specialist unit. Further tests will be carried out in the specialist unit so that a clear diagnosis can be made.
Useful phonelines
include: 0800 169 0 169 (national tobacco quitline) and 0345 320202 (national alcohol quitline).