.png){kind=logo}
Mouth cancer is also known as oral cancer. It can affect any part of the mouth, including lips, tonsils, throat and tongue. Taking place in November, Mouth Cancer Awareness Month shares the importance of being mouth aware and knowing the sign and symptoms of mouth cancer in order to act early.
Over 8000 people in the UK were diagnosed with Mouth Cancer last year. It is twice as common in men than women, though an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with the disease. It is seen that 1 in 3 of mouth cancer diagnoses in the UK occur on the tongue.
Symptoms of mouth cancer:
mouth ulcer or sore that hasn't healed in 3 weeks - this is the most common symptom
a lump or thickening in the mouth or on the lip
difficulty or pain with chewing, swallowing or speaking
bleeding or numbness in the mouth
bad breath
a lump in the neck or throat
red or white patches in the mouth
Whilst these can be symptoms of mouth cancer, they may be caused by other conditions, which is why it is important to have them checked by a doctor or dentist.
Drinking excessive alcohol and smoking or chewing tobacco tend to be the main causes of mouth cancer, but your risks can be increased with a weakened immune system, lack of fruit and vegetables in your diet, and long term UV exposure, risking lip cancer.
If you have mouth cancer, your specialist treatment team will be there to support you throughout your treatment. They will also be able to give you information about local support services you may find helpful.
Comments