Doncaster Patient Urges Everyone to Back Oral Cancer Campaign
A grandfather from Doncaster has urged everyone to back the annual Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign, after being diagnosed with the disease.
62 year old Dave Rogers visited the dentist thinking that he needed root canal treatment, but was later diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called central epidermoid carcinoma. Dave was treated at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield and underwent a number of procedures to remove the tumour and reconstruct his jaw using bone from his shin.
Dave said that being diagnosed with cancer was a complete shock, especially as he had only visited his dentist for a routine check-up. He urged people to get involved in the Mouth Cancer Action Month and attend regular check-ups.
Mouth Cancer Action Month is an annual campaign, which is designed to raise awareness of oral cancer, a disease that kills more people in the UK than cervical and testicular cancer combined. A recent survey by the BDHF showed that more than 80 percent of people were not familiar with the symptoms of mouth cancer and as a result of this, most cases in the UK are diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage.
The BDHF is hoping to educate people about the symptoms they should be looking out for, including red or white patches in the mouth, slow-healing sores or ulcers and abnormal swellings in the mouth or throat. Oral cancer screening sessions are being held all over the country this month and attending regular dental check-ups will enable dentists to keep an eye out for warning signs.
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