Mouth Cancer Cases At All Time High
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- Published: Monday, 07 November 2022 07:25
- Written by Peter Ingle
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As the Oral Health Foundation launches the 2022 Mouth Cancer Action Month, cases in the UK have reached an all-time high.
The charity’s State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2022 has been released to coincide with November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month. Run by the Oral Health Foundation supported by Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, the campaign has been running for over 20 years.
The report shows that 8,864 cases were diagnosed last year, reflecting a doubling in numbers over the last decade. There were 3.034 deaths from mouth cancer, an increase of 40% over the last ten years.
This year mouth cancer survivor Charlotte’s story, is being used to illustrate that mouth cancer is not simply restricted to the classic ‘at risk’ groups. As a non smoker and active 26 year old, Charlotte was shocked to be diagnosed with mouth cancer.
Survival rates for mouth cancer have barely improved in the last 20 years. One of the key reasons behind this is that far too many mouth cancers are diagnosed too late. More than half (53%) of all mouth cancers are diagnosed at stage IV.
Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, says the charity is fighting an uphill battle against mouth cancer and more must be done to raise awareness of the disease. “While most cancers are on the decrease, cases of mouth cancer continue to rise at an alarming rate. Traditional causes like smoking and drinking alcohol to excess are quickly being caught by emerging risk factors like the human papillomavirus (HPV). The stigma around mouth cancer has changed dramatically. It’s now a cancer that really can affect anybody.”
Charlotte describes how her cancer went undiagnosed as well as her journey through surgery, intensive care and a challenging rehabilitation, where she had to re-learn how to swallow and talk.
The challenge for both public and professional education is well summarised by Charlotte. “There is a stigma against mouth cancer, I was told ‘oh, you’re too young’, ‘God it won’t be that’, ‘no it won’t be that’, and it does happen. It really can happen to anyone not just smokers because that’s such a stigma - it really annoys me. People think you have to be like a really old man that smokes 50 a day, but you don’t. It took this tiny little poster in the clinic for me to, to be like, ‘oh my God, that’s mouth cancer’ and by then it was too late anyway.”
A key feature of the campaign is encouraging awareness by the public, the report finding that people are three times more likely to self-check for breast or testicular cancer than mouth cancer. As ever the Oral Health Foundation advises that anyone suspicious that they may have mouth cancer should visit a dentist.
Mouth Cancer Cases At All Time High
Terrible statistics showing a doubling of mouth cancer and yet survival rates have barely improved. It's all about early diagnosis and that's why I put this FREE verifiable CPD course on here: https://www.gdpuk.com/forum/education-forum/the-essential-guide-to-head-and-neck-cancer-by-prof-mike-lewis-june-2022-29772Why not spend an hour online getting updated by Prof Michael Lewis.
Mouth Cancer
Terrible statistics showing a doubling of mouth cancer and yet survival rates have barely improved. It's all about early diagnosis and that's why I put this FREE verifiable CPD course on here: https://www.gdpuk.com/forum/education-forum/the-essential-guide-to-head-and-neck-cancer-by-prof-mike-lewis-june-2022-29772Why not spend an hour online getting updated by Prof Michael Lewis.
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