2023-11-09 16:06:00
Erem News
A British charity has warned of a rise in oral cancer cases and deaths in the United Kingdom, with rates now higher than ever before.
She said that this comes as a “devastating consequence” of the lack of health services related to dental health in the National Health Service in Britain.
The British newspaper “The Independent” reported that “the United Kingdom records approximately 9,860 cases of oral cancer annually, representing an increase of 47% over the last decade,” according to new data from the Oral Health Foundation (a non-profit charitable organization), which was analyzed. Collected as part of the “November Oral Cancer Month” campaign.
The newspaper quoted Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, as saying: “The lack of dental health services that can be provided by the NHS, beyond treating toothache and tooth decay, is a silent catalyst for tragedy.”
“The alarming lack of access to dental services leads to oral cancer being diagnosed at a late stage, a devastating result of systemic neglect,” Carter added.
The British Dental Association (BDA) warned earlier this year that the number of NHS dentists in the UK was at its lowest level since 2014.
A BBC investigation last year found that “9 out of 10 NHS dental clinics across the UK were not receiving new adult patients for dental health care.”
The newspaper reported that the Oral Health Foundation found in research conducted by the charity that only 12% of the population “can identify the early warning signs of oral cancer.”
What are the early signs of mouth cancer?
The newspaper quoted dentist Sika at Bupa Dental Center in London as saying: “Mouth ulcers that do not heal, a hoarse voice, and unexplained lumps in the mouth are all warning symptoms of the disease.”
He added, “It is important to remember that these signs do not mean that the person has oral cancer, but that he needs further tests.”
Doctor Sika explained that the main warning signs of mouth cancer that you should pay attention to are “a mouth ulcer that does not heal within 3 weeks, swelling of the mouth or the presence of unexplained lumps in the mouth, and red or white spots in the mouth that are painful or painless, in addition to this.” To loose teeth for no apparent reason or difficulty swallowing, the disease can make eating painful or cause a burning sensation when chewing and swallowing food, according to Cancer Research.
Men are more likely to develop oral cancer
According to doctors, “Men are more at risk of developing mouth cancer,” as this risk also increases with age, as figures show that 78% of cases diagnosed with mouth cancer are over the age of 55, but it is possible for anyone to be affected and it is not clear. Always the reason.
The newspaper pointed out that there are factors that increase the risk of oral cancer and can be avoided. In this regard, Dr. Sika explained that the main risk factors for oral cancer are “smoking or chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol,” while certain types of viral infections known as “human papilloma (HPV)” may cause high rates of oral cancer.
According to the NHS, prolonged exposure to the sun, such as using sunbeds, can lead to skin cancer around the lips, and people with weak immune systems may also be at greater risk.
The newspaper concluded by saying that following a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced, nutritious diet and regular exercise can help reduce the risk of cancer in general – but awareness of early warning signs and regular dental examinations remains vital.
The Oral Health Foundation stressed that when oral cancer is detected early, the survival rate for those with the disease reaches 90%, compared to 50% for those who were diagnosed late.
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