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Be mouthaware for Mouth Cancer Action: The 45 second check that could save your life
Are you able to recognise the changes in your mouth? That’s the question posed by Glen Dental as they support a charity campaign to raise awareness of mouth cancer.
The dental practice, based on Stretton Road, is urging Great Glen and Leicester residents to be more mouthaware and recognise the early warning signs of mouth cancer, ahead of November 2018 Mouth Cancer Action Month.
With awareness of the disease remaining alarmingly low, Glen Dental say that a simple 45 second check is often all that’s needed to identify anything unusual and be able to then seek professional guidance.
Dr Lina Kotecha from Glen Dental says:
“Early diagnosis transforms our chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 per cent to 90 percent so it is crucial that we know what to look out for and that we do not hesitate in seeking advice from a health professional.
“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area, can all be potential signs and symptoms of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth, if your dentist spots the early warning signs then the full state of mouth cancer can be assessed by specialist.
“Quite often it is easier to notice lumps and bumps on the outside of the body or to dismiss a mouth ulcer as benign. Most of us will spend at least a few minutes every day in front of a mirror brushing our teeth so while we’re there it makes sense to have a quick look inside the mouth.
“If you keep a lookout for these symptoms then a simple 45 second check really could save your life, early detection and prevention really is the key as it is possible to be diagnosed at an early stage.
“If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please speak to your dental professional or a doctor.”
Mouth Cancer Action Month for Nov 18 takes place throughout November and is organised by the Oral Health Foundation.
With around 7,800 Brits diagnosed with mouth cancer last year, the disease is one of the UK’s fastest increasing cancers, with cases rising by a third in the last decade alone.
Survival rates of oral cancer have not improved in the last 20 years and the oral health charity is concerned that too many are mouth cancers are being diagnosed at a late stage, significantly reducing our chance to beat the disease. Understanding your risk of mouth cancer is also important.
Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE added:
“Mouth cancer can appear anywhere in the mouth including the lips, tongue, cheek, throat and gums.
“Mouth cancer can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, impacting on their breathing, eating and speech. Reconstructive surgery could also change their appearance while the experience often has an impact on confidence and self-esteem.
“By developing a greater understanding about the early warning signs and symptoms, the lifestyle factors which increase our risk, and recognising where to go if we notice anything unusual inside our mouth, we can detect mouth cancer early. This will not only improve our chances of beating it but will also reduce the amount of invasive surgery needed to treat it.
“During every dental check-up, your dentist will do a visual examination for mouth cancer and look for anything that might be a cause for concern. That’s why it’s so important to keep regular dental check-ups – it’s not just about the health of our teeth and gums – a trip to the dentist could really be a life saver.”
To find out more information about mouth cancer and Mouth Cancer Action Month and save lives, please visit www.mouthcancer.org
Principal dentist at Glen Dental - Leicester
Dr. Lina Kotecha qualified as a dentist in 2000 and developed a special interest in facial aesthetics, undertaking a host of further qualifications in dermal fillers, thread lifts. She prides herself on her extensive qualifications and training achievements. She keeps abreast of all the latest techniques in facial aesthetics by attending regular meetings, conferences and training. In 2016, she completed the Masterclass in Facial Aesthetics run by the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners, which she passed with a distinction
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