Cases of mouth cancer in England have reached the highest levels on record, prompting experts to call for greater public awareness of early symptoms.
New data released today from NHS England shows the number of annual mouth cancer cases in England has reached 9,293. This marks a year-on-year rise – a 37% increase over the past decade, and more than double the number recorded a generation ago.
Deaths have also climbed, with 2,970 people losing their lives. This marks a 42% rise compared with 10 years ago.
True cost of mouth cancer
Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said the new statistics show that mouth cancer is exacting a growing cost on both people and the health system.
Research by the charity shows that nearly one in four people (23%) do not know it is possible to develop cancer in and around the mouth. Awareness of the most common signs and symptoms is as low as one in five (20%).
Dr Carter says: ‘The true cost of mouth cancer isn’t just measured in lives lost. It’s in the pain, disfigurement and emotional trauma survivors live with every day. The fact that cases continue to rise while awareness remains so poor is deeply worrying. Far too many people still don’t know the warning signs or delay getting help.
‘We’re urging everyone to be mouthaware – check your mouth regularly and seek advice if something doesn’t feel right.’
A case study
Father of four Robert Powell, from Milton Keynes, had a sore throat that started soon after moving to France to run a bed and breakfast – but he ignored it for months.
A dentist later spotted something serious and referred him for tests, which revealed cancer on his tonsils – diagnosed on his 62nd birthday. Now recovered after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Robert still lives with lasting side effects.
‘You can’t be complacent and think it won’t happen to you,’ he said. ‘Regular dental check-ups really can be a matter of life or death.’
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
