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Did you know November is Mouth Cancer Action Month?

Here at Pure Periodontics we are supporting the Oral Health Foundation and their Mouth Cancer Action Month. In 2016 alone, more than 7,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with oral cancer. This campaign aims to raise awareness of mouth cancer, educate, and make a difference by saving thousands of lives through earlier detection and prevention.

Although mouth cancer can affect anybody, there are certain risk factors that can increase your likelihood of being diagnosed. These include:

  • Tobacco use (including smoking and chewing tobacco)
  • Alcohol
  • Poor diet
  • Environment (second hand smoke and sun exposure)
  • HPV (The Human Papillomavirus)

What can you do?

Ideally, we want to encourage people to amend their lifestyle choices to reduce their chances of ever being diagnosed with oral cancer. However, this is a condition that can affect anybody, and early detection and diagnosis are vital to improving survival rates. Be sure to attend your regular recall appointments as advised by your dental professional, who will carry out screening for oral cancer at every visit, and follow the advice given below between appointments. Remember, if in doubt, get it checked out!

Know where to look: Oral cancer can be found in many areas, such as the tongue, lips, cheeks, roof of mouth, floor of mouth, throat, head, and neck.

Know what to look for: Ulcers, sores, changes in colour, red or white patches, changes in texture, tenderness, lumps, bumps, swellings, or difficulty swallowing.

Seek advice from a doctor or dentist immediately if you have:

  • An ulcer that does not heal within two weeks
  • Red or white patches in the mouth
  • Unusual lumps or swelling in the mouth, head, or neck area