Last year more than 10,000 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer with 3,637 losing their lives to the disease but just one in five know the symptoms to watch for
A cancer specialist has warned that a persistent mouth complaint lasting more than three weeks should be examined by a GP. While most mouth ulcers are harmless and tend to disappear on their own within a fortnight, any that persist beyond three weeks could potentially indicate mouth cancer, says radiation oncologist Dr Jiri Kubes.
He advised: “Mouth ulcers are really common and rarely a sign of anything serious, but persistent sores that have not cleared up within three weeks should be checked. A doctor or dentist can do this.”
Other signs of mouth cancer include unusual lumps and bumps in the mouth and neck that don’t disappear, unexplained pain, difficulty swallowing, unexpected weight loss, a hoarse voice, and red or white patches in the mouth.
Dr Kubes, who is a specialist in proton beam therapy at the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, Czech Republic, said: “Ideally you want the inside of your mouth to look pink and healthy. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of taking a look inside your mouth regularly. Pay attention to any unusual changes, especially if you smoke as this can put you at a higher risk.
“Look all around your tongue for any changes and look for any lumps or discolouration on the inside of both your top and bottom lip. These symptoms are common and can be caused by other conditions, but it is always best to check.”
Last year 10,825 people in the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer with 3,637 dying as a result of the disease. However according to the Mouth Cancer Foundation just one in five adults are aware of the major signs and symptoms, reports the Express.
Symptoms of mouth cancer
According to the NHS symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks, or lips. These include:
- a mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than 3 weeks
- a red or white patch inside your mouth
- a lump inside your mouth or on your lip
- pain inside your mouth
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice
- a lump in your neck or throat
- losing weight without trying
Treatment for mouth cancer
Treatment for mouth cancer can involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Proton therapy, a type of radiotherapy, utilises proton beams to target cancerous cells with pinpoint accuracy.
Dr Kubes said: “Proton beam therapy has the potential to offer fewer side effects because it uses a highly-charged proton beam to target cancer cells with pencil-point precision. This can ensure the dose is targeted and surrounding tissues are better protected, which is important in the very delicate head and neck area.”
For more information visit ukprotontherapy.co.uk.