York Dental Surgery Hosts Free Oral Cancer Screening Day
A dental clinic in York hosted a free oral cancer screening day last weekend to raise awareness of the deadly disease in the run-up to Mouth Cancer Awareness day, which takes place on Wednesday 17th September.
Acorn Dental in Acomb offered free screening tests between 9am and 12pm on Saturday morning. The test is quick and painless and it can detect symptoms of oral cancer and changes in the mouth before they become visible. Oral cancer is often spotted at a late stage and early diagnosis often makes the difference between life and death.
Maxine Flynn, owner of the clinic, said that mouth cancer is becoming more and more common, but many people are unaware of the symptoms and this is contributing to poor survival rates. Early diagnosis is really important because it increases the chances of survival significantly and at the moment, too many cases are diagnosed when the disease is already advanced.
The practice is supporting Mouth Cancer Awareness Day and encouraging patients to attend regular check-ups and be on the lookout for any abnormal changes in the soft tissue or the appearance of mouth ulcers, red or white patches in the mouth or unusual swelling.
Mrs Flynn said that survival rates have stalled at around 50 per cent in the last 5 decades, despite the fact that more and more people are being diagnosed and this is why screening and programmes and events like Mouth Cancer Awareness Day are so important.
In addition to free screening, many of the practice team members will also be taking part in the mouth cancer awareness walk, which takes place in Hyde Park, London on the 20th September.
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