03 November 2016

Do you know where to check for when looking for mouth cancer? Well, according to new research as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month, one in ten of us are not aware of where we should be looking in our mouths for the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer, meaning many people are potentially missing the chance to detect this terrible disease early.

Regular checks make sure that we are all able to catch the signs of mouth cancer early enough to make a difference, it is estimated that chances of survival based on early diagnosis are 90% compared to 50% for late diagnosis, so being mouthaware is vital in fighting mouth cancer.

The sad fact is that mouth cancer is on the rise in the UK. It has increased by more than a third in the last decade alone but by being aware of the major signs of mouth cancer and knowing where to look for them we can help to address this alarming trend.

Mouth cancer can affect anybody and it’s important that we all know what to look out for. Early detection could save your life. If you notice any changes in your mouth speak to your dentist or doctor immediately. In most cases, it is likely to be nothing sinister but if you are in doubt get it checked out for peace of mind.

So, to help you be more Mouthaware here are the six simple steps for self-diagnosis of mouth cancer. Be on the lookout for the major signs; ulcers which do not heal in three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the following places…..