Let’s beat oral cancer sooner

Today around 2,400 people die from oral cancer, 20 years ago this was around 1,600 and rates are projected to rise by 38% in the UK between 2014 and 2035. In fact, oral cancer cases are also becoming more common, according to figures by Cancer Research UK. Rates of oral cancer have increased by 68% in the last 20 years in the UK.

Low public and health professional awareness of the symptoms and risk factors for oral cancer is a significant barrier to early diagnosis and improving outcomes. However, November is Mouth Cancer Action Month, which aims to raise public awareness of the disease and support health professionals to spot signs and symptoms and have conversations with those most at risk. This provides a great opportunity to refresh your knowledge or that of colleagues within your practices, on ways to prevent, and how to detect, oral cancer early.