Did you know that taking 45 seconds to check your mouth could save your life?
Did you know that in the UK last year 10,825 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer and 3,637 sadly passed away as a result.
However, when caught early the survival rate is over 85% which is why during Mouth Cancer Action Month we’re encouraging more people to carry out regular mouth checks.
A spokesperson for the Oral health Promotion Team – which works across north and north east Lincolnshire, said: “Mouth cancer can affect anyone – whether you have your natural teeth or not – and early detection can make a huge difference to treatment outcomes.
“Knowing what’s normal for your mouth means that if there are any changes you’re more likely to spot them early, so that’s why we’re encouraging everyone to get into the habit of doing regular checks.”
Things to look out for are:
- Ulcers or sores that don’t heal within three weeks
- Red or white patches inside your mouth, including on your tongue
- Unusual lumps or swellings in your mouth, jaw, or neck
- Unexplained pain, numbness, or persistent hoarseness
To do this, first you need to grab a mirror and make sure that you’re somewhere with good lighting. There are then four key steps:
- Check your lips, gums, and the inside of your cheeks
- Look at your tongue, including the underneath and the sides
- Tilt your head back and look at the roof and floor of your mouth
- Feel along your jawline and neck for any new lumps
The team added: “As with all cancer checks, the motto is ‘if in doubt, get it checked out’, so if there’s anything unusual that’s been there for more than three weeks, please contact your dentist or GP right away.”
