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| PROFESSIONALS > RAISING MOUTH CANCER AWARENESS |
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Mouth cancer causes more deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or melanomas. In the UK there were 7,556 cases of mouth, throat and head & neck cancers in 2003. Due to late detection the mortality rate from these cancers is just over 50 per cent. Despite treatment, there were 2,718 deaths in 2005 – that’s approximately one every three hours. The chances of survival are greatly improved if the cancer is detected early and treated rapidly.
Mouth cancer patients suffer greatly owing to disabilities such as facial deformity, loss of teeth and damage to the tongue and throat, with consequent difficulty in talking and eating in public places. Around 30,000 people are currently living in the shadow of this debilitating disease. Yet they do not receive the attention and support that other cancer sufferers do.
As dental health professionals, we are the natural leaders to lead the fight against mouth cancer.
We should be warning our patients of the dangers of tobacco use and alcohol abuse.
We should alert our Asian patients to the dangers of paan and gutka chewing.
We should be screening patients for mouth cancers.
We should also be involved in efforts to increase awareness of mouth cancers and the need for support for head and neck cancer patients.
Leaflets and posters on lowering the risk of mouth cancer are available free of charge from the Mouth Cancer Foundation and can be used as discussion tools during consultations or displayed in the waiting room. Wristbands and t-shirts are available too.
Mouth Cancer Awareness Week is held in November every year.
Thank you for participating in Mouth Cancer Awareness events and supporting the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
Best wishes
Dr Vinod K Joshi
Founder, Mouth Cancer Foundation
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