Over 8,800 new cases of mouth cancer are recorded in the UK every year according to the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
Mouth Cancer Awareness Month is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness of mouth cancer. Mouth cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the UK, with the majority of deaths resulting from late detection. From 2020 to 2023 our claims relating to cancer have increased year on year, with 50% relating to misdiagnosis. This means the lack of public awareness for this type of illness could make all the difference and increase the chances of early detection.
Did you know?
- Mouth Cancer is Twice as common in men than in women
- 58% of Mouth Cancers appear on the tongue and tonsils
- The number of people diagnosed with Mouth Cancer has increased by 34% in the last 10 years.
Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer
- Mouth ulcers that don’t heal within 3 weeks
- Unusual lumps or swelling of no obvious cause in the mouth, lips, neck or throat
- Red or white patches in the mouth
This is not an exhaustive list, if you’d like more information of your signs and symptoms please speak with your dentist or doctor. If you notice any of these symptoms and they haven’t cleared after 3 weeks, then you should book to see your Dentist or GP.
Check for Mouth Cancer: Know the Signs?
The Mouth Cancer Foundation have a 2-minute Self-Examination tool on their website to show what to look out for and how to seek help if something is out of the ordinary.
The earlier the cancer is detected the lesser the risk. Dentists are able to spot signs of mouth cancer during a routine check-up so it’s important to keep up your regular dental appointments. They’ll examine the inside of your mouth, and also be able to check your neck and underneath your jaw. If your dentist spots anything then they can refer you to a specialist right away.
While most dentists will provide you with a thorough check up to help the prevention of mouth cancer some dentists may not. If you’ve experienced, a misdiagnosis or suffered any kind of poor treatment at the hands of your dentists in regard to mouth cancer then you can contact us 0800 152 2031, or complete our online claim form.