Did you know that your routine six monthly dental health check should include a mouth cancer screening? There is unfortunately no national programme in the UK regarding screening for mouth cancer, but here at Sevenoaks Dental Implant Centre we are pleased to be leading the way by including it as standard in all our routine dental examinations.
What are the first signs of mouth cancer?
There are a range of signs of mouth cancer which typically include:
- Mouth ulcers that do not heal
- Persistent pain or discomfort in your mouth
- Red or white patches in and around your mouth and throat
- Lumps in your neck, caused by large lymph nodes
- Difficulty swallowing
How does the dentist check for mouth cancer?
They will:
- Check inside your mouth with a small mirror
- Look at your neck and underneath your jaw
- Check your lymph nodes
- Observe your face and neck looking for swellings, skin abnormalities, moles, and asymmetry
- Visually examine your gums and the inside of your lips and cheek
- Examine your tongue
What is the prognosis for mouth cancer?
The prognosis for mouth cancer depends largely upon how advanced your cancer is and the type of cancer that you have. It also depends upon exactly where your cancer is located. Cancer Research UK gives the following statistics.
Lip cancer – nearly 90 out of 100 people diagnosed (89%) will live for 5 years or more
Tongue cancer – 55 out of 100 women (55%) and 44 out of 100 men (44%) will live for 5 years or more
Oral cavity – this includes all other mouth cancers (not lip or tongue) and nearly 55 out of every 100 women (55%) and 48 out of every 100 men (48%) will be alive 5 years later
The key with improving the prognosis for mouth cancer is early detection.
What will happen if the dentist finds any abnormal patches?
Should the dentist find any abnormal patches, they will refer you to the hospital for further tests.
I have noticed an unusual patch in my mouth. What should I do?
Make a note of the date you first noticed it. Take a photo of it with your digital camera or mobile phone. Sores, white spots, and rough areas should heal within a couple of weeks. After two weeks, if it is still present, schedule an appointment with a dentist, who will assess the area and determine if it warrants further evaluation.
How can I lower my risk of developing mouth cancer?
There are various steps you can take to lower your risk of developing mouth cancer, these include:
- Monitoring your tobacco/alcohol use. Many cases of mouth cancer can be linked directly to smoking cigarettes.
- Be aware of transmitting sexually transmitted diseases. Human papillomavirus (specifically the HPV 16 type) has been linked also to the increased risk of developing mouth cancer.
- Exposure to the sun. You might think that you don’t sunbathe with your mouth open, so how can this increase your risk of mouth cancer? The reality is that mouth cancer can also happen on your lip, which does indeed come into contact with direct sunlight.