Oral Cancer Awareness month – what to look out for, SCA …

November is recognised as Oral Cancer Awareness month. Something that isn’t spoken about as much as it should be.

By regularly attending your dental appointments, oral cancer can be detected early, and advice given on prevention for the mouth, throat, lips and other head and neck anatomy.

Risk factors contributing to oral cancer can include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and HPV. Ask your dentist for any advice on cutting down/quitting, for the benefit of your mouth.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms, risk factors, significance of early diagnosis, as oral cancer can be treated when caught early.

Symptoms may include:

• Sores/Ulcers

Ulcers that don’t heal after two weeks

• Lumps/swollen areas

A lump that doesn’t go away

• Pain/tenderness

Tender feeling in the mouth, lips or throat that doesn’t go away

• Red or white patches

Unexplained patches in the mouth or tongue

• Difficulty swallowing

Trouble swallowing or feeling like something is stuck

• Sore throat, hoarse voice

Persistent that doesn’t improve

• Bleeding

Unexplained bleeding

• Numbness

Numb feeling, loss of sensation in the tongue, lips or other areas of the mouth

If any symptoms last for more than 2 weeks, consult your dentist or GP for an assessment, as early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes.