During November, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Oral Health Improvement Team are highlighting the early warning signs of mouth cancer, as part of November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.
With awareness of the disease remaining alarmingly low, the Oral Health Improvement Team want to encourage people living in Ayrshire and Arran about the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms and having regular check-ups at your dentist.
In 2017 Jim from East Ayrshire was diagnosed and treated for mouth cancer after feeling a slight discomfort when eating his lunch. Following a few weeks of ignoring it, he finally made the decision to get it checked and it saved his life.
Jim explained, “I was diagnosed back in 2017 after finding a lump in my mouth. It never crossed my mind that I might have a cause for concern and continued to leave it for a few weeks before going to get it check out by a GP who referred me to the hospital. There are a lot of misconceptions around mouth cancer, and it might surprise you to learn that I don’t smoke or drink alcohol at all.
“I think if I knew more about what signs and symptoms to look out for and attended a dentist regularly, things might have been different.”
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Oral and Maxillofacial Consultant and Head and Neck Surgeon Ewen Thomson explains, “Early diagnosis transforms the chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 per cent to 90 percent. So it is crucial that people know what to look out for and that they seek advice from a health professional sooner rather than later.
“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 of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.
“If you keep a lookout for these symptoms and notice anything out of the ordinary, please speak to your dentist or a doctor.”
Jim added, “I had dentures and never thought it was important to see a dentist. Please don’t make that mistake. During your check up, your dentist with check 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.
Mouth cancer, which can appear anywhere in the mouth including the lips, tongue, cheek, throat and gums, 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.
Ewen Thomson said: “By encouraging 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.”
To find out more information about mouth cancer, oral health and Mouth Cancer Action Month, please visit: