Late mouth cancer diagnosis causes mouth cancer deaths
01 November 2018 (Last updated: 1 Nov 2018 17:55)
For immediate release 2 November 2018
Late mouth cancer diagnosis causes mouth cancer deaths
The nearly 3,000 thousand deaths from mouth cancer last alone could have been prevented with early referral and diagnosis, the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BAOMS) said today as the specialist surgeons welcomed the Oral Health Foundation (OHF) State of Mouth Cancer UK Report launched today at the start of the month-long mouth cancer awareness campaign.
Kathy Fan, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and BAOMS Council member, said: “More must be done to raise public awareness of the signs that could indicate oral cancer, and early referral and diagnosis by clinicians are essential to avoid aggressive, lengthy and life-altering treatment. As it is, people with mouth cancer are more likely to die than if they had cervical or skin cancer.”
The OHF report reveals that nearly half (45%) of all mouth cancer cases are diagnosed when the cancer is at its most advanced, and the incidence of mouth cancer in the UK has grown by 49% in just the last ten years – there were just under 8,500 cases diagnosed cases last year.
“Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, and worryingly it is now becoming more common in younger patients and in women,” Kathy Fan said, “and why BAOMS supported the extension of the HPV jab to boys.
“It is shocking that 75% of the public cannot identify the main signs of mouth cancer. We must improve public awareness of what signs to look out for, and this is why Mouth Cancer Action Month is so important.”
Some of the key signs to look out for are mouth ulcers that last for more than three weeks, white or red patches in the lining of the mouth, or any unusual lumps or swelling in the neck. Anyone with these symptoms should consult their dentist or GP.
Mouth Cancer Action month runs from 1 November to 30 November 2018. For information about the campaign and a wide range of resources for clinicians and the public see the website.
Ends
For further information and interviews contact: Siân Evans on 020 8674 8921 / 07752 414 433 or BAOMS
Notes to editors
The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) promotes the advancement of education, research and the development of oral and maxillofacial Surgery in Great Britain, and encourages and assists postgraduate education, study and research. For more information go to: www.baoms.org.uk
The Oral Health Foundation Mouth Cancer Action month public campaign runs throughout November 2018 focused on publicising the causes of mouth cancer. The dedicated campaign website has resources for clinicians and the public.
See also State of Mouth Cancer UK Report
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