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THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE
MOUTH CANCER FOUNDATION
"Mouth Cancer is a disease that has affected my family as it is how my nan died.
The Mouth Cancer Foundation raises awareness of Mouth Cancer and I am pleased to be supporting them and draw attention to this little known, but deadly disease!"
Natasha Hamilton
Pop Star & Atomic Kitten band member
Official Patron, Mouth Cancer Foundation |
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| CANCER can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, salivary
glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites located in the head and neck
area. These "Mouth Cancers" have a higher proportion of deaths per number of
cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. |
Oral and pharyngeal cancer is the sixth most common malignancy reported
worldwide and one with high mortality ratios among all malignancies. The
global number of new cases was estimated at 405,318 about two-thirds of them
arising in developing countries. Highest rates are reported in South Asian
countries such as India and Sri Lanka. The Indian sub-continent accounts for
one-third of the world burden. The incidence and mortality from oral cancer
is rising in several regions of Europe, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Every
year in Europe, around 100,800 people are diagnosed with head and neck
cancer and almost 40,000 die from the disease. In the USA alone, 30,000
Americans are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer each year. About 90
percent of head and neck cancers are of the squamous cell variety. Although
there have been significant improvements in chemotherapy and surgical
techniques, the disease is often particularly challenging to treat since
most patients present with advanced disease, have secondary tumours and
suffer from other co-morbidities. Unfortunately 5-year survival rate has not
improved (50% overall) for the last few decades except in specialized cancer
centres.
MOUTH CANCER FOUNDATION UK STATISTICS
In the UK, there were 7,697 cases in 2004.
The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite
treatment, with 2,718 deaths occurring
in 2005.
Mouth Cancer kills one person every 3 hours in the UK because of late
detection.
An increasing
number of young people are being affected
and 25% of the cases have no associated significant
risk factors.
Other organisations may quote lower statistics. In fact the statistics are much worse. They are missing out vital data which is very relevant. For example, ask children where saliva is formed? They will say "in the mouth". The Mouth Cancer Foundation statistics include cancer of the salivary gland but unfortunately because of tradition other organisations are missing out statistics on salivary gland, throat and other relevant regions, which should fall under the "Mouth Cancer" umbrella. The Mouth Cancer Foundation is taking a lead to include important statistics because we believe it is important for the public to be aware of all cancers connected to the mouth. |
In its very early stages, mouth cancers
can be almost invisible making it easy to ignore. You
can improve your chances of survival if the cancer is
detected early and rapidly treated.
It is important to
have a self-awareness and to perform regular, self-examinations
to help in the early identification of these symptoms:
Reduce your chances of getting these cancers by:
1.
Not smoking or chewing tobacco, gutkha/paan
more >>
2. Limiting alcohol consumption
3. Having a healthier "low meat,
low fat" diet, rich in vegetables and
fruit with servings of bread, cereals or beans
everyday |
View
clinical presentations, click here.
Print out the World Cancer Research
Fund's "Mouth & Throat Cancers" leaflet
(PDF format), click here.
Visit your dentist or doctor at once if you notice
any abnormal problems or are not sure.
Early detection is the key factor in
treatment success! |
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