Health officials in North Lincolnshire urge the public to be more mouth aware amid increasing rates of oral cancer
Health officials in North Lincolnshire are urging the public to be more mouth aware as the launch of Mouth Cancer Action Month approaches.
According to statistics, the region ranks 41st out of over 150 areas in the country for oral cancer cases and health experts are keen to promote the Oral Health Foundation’s national campaign and encourage people to take notice of the symptoms and causes of oral cancer.
The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Trust is encouraging patients to take advantage of free screening checks available at dental practices across the county in November. Free drop-in sessions will be available at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital between the 20th and the 24th November and a number of practices are also offering free screening on dates in November.
According to the most recent figures, more than 7,000 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed last year, and this represents an increase of more than a third in the last decade. Despite the growing prevalence of mouth cancer, many people are still unaware of the risk factors and symptoms and this means that many cases are diagnosed when it’s difficult to treat the disease. Early diagnosis can increase the chances of survival by up to 90 percent, and this is why dentists and health officials are keen to raise awareness.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include abnormal lumps and swelling in the mouth or throat, white or red patches and ulcers that take a long time to heal. The most significant risk factors are smoking and drinking alcohol, although there has been an increase in cases among younger people, which has been linked to HPV infection.
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