Here at McInerney Dental Practice we are taking part in the British Dental Health Foundation’s Mouth Cancer Action Month which runs from 1st to 30th November 2013. During this period we are offering ‘Free oral cancer screening’.
It is estimated that over the next decade around 60,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth (oral) cancer. Without early detection, the five year survival rate for these patients is just 50 per cent. Worldwide over 460,000 people are expected to die from mouth cancer each year by 2030.
Early detection of mouth cancer can transform the five year survival rate up to 90 per cent. So the message to everyone is please take action, and ‘If In Doubt, Get Checked Out’.
Latest figures show that there are more than 6,500 new cases of mouth cancer diagnosed in the UK every year – that’s 18 people every day. It is one of the few cancer variations on the rise – cases have increased by almost 50 per cent over the last decade – and it still claims more lives than cervical and testicular cancer combined.
Mouth cancers are more common in people over 40. However, it can occur in younger adults but it is thought that HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection may be responsible for most of the cases that occur in younger people.
Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, whether they have their own teeth or not.
Our patients are routinely screened as part of their dental examination but we are offering the oral cancer screening to everyone during this time. If you would like to take advantage of this service, or know someone who would, please contact the surgery to book your screening.
Facts and figures source: BDHF and Mouth Cancer Foundation
You must be logged in to post a comment.