Rising Oral Cancer Cases in the UK: Importance of Early Detection and Prevention

2023-12-03 12:59:00

Although studies have shown that regular dental check-ups and oral hygiene visits are important for identifying the early stage of oral cancer, a shortage of dentists in the UK has led to a rise in oral cancer cases, the British Oral Health Charity reported.

A BBC survey last year confirmed that 90% of NHS dentists in the UK were not accepting new adult patients for NHS treatment.

Each year, around 9,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with mouth cancer, with just over 3,000 lives lost to the disease.

However, if caught early, oral cancer has an excellent cure rate: more than 90% with relatively simple treatment.

Early signs of mouth cancer

Mouth ulcers that do not heal within three weeks

A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw, or neck that lasts for more than three weeks

New red or white spots in the mouth

Numbness of the tongue or other area of ​​the mouth

Unexplained loose teeth

Chronic sore throat or hoarseness lasting more than six weeks.

Excellent recovery rate

In recent years, the range of treatments for oral cancers has increased and improved, such as robotic surgery and immunotherapy. Improved understanding of the disease has helped doctors personalize treatment methods and enhance the patient experience.

Advanced cancer stage and complex treatment can, in some cases, affect facial appearance, speech, swallowing and shoulder movement. These can affect a person’s ability to socialize as speech and the ability to eat or drink will be impaired by the treatment.

Certain lifestyle factors are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. These include smoking and other forms of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and chewing betel quid (gum), according to a study published in the scientific journal Science Alert.

But it is important to remember that approximately half of oral cancer cases are preventable.

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