The NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Oral Health Improvement team has highlighted the early warning signs of mouth cancer, to raise awareness for November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.

The Oral Health Improvement team has encouraged people living in Ayrshire and Arran to understand the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms and having regular check-ups at the dentist.

Ewen Thomson, oral and maxillofacial consultant and head and neck surgeon for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said, “Early diagnosis transforms the chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 per cent to 90 percent. So, it is crucial that people know what to look out for and that they seek advice from a health professional sooner rather than later.

“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area, can all be potential signs of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.

“If you keep a lookout for these symptoms and notice anything out of the ordinary, please speak to your dentist or a doctor.”

Ewen added, “By encouraging a greater understanding about the early warning signs and symptoms, the lifestyle factors which increase our risk, and recognising where to go if we notice anything unusual inside our mouth, we can detect mouth cancer early. This will not only improve our chances of beating it, but will also reduce the amount of invasive surgery needed to treat it.”

Jim’s story

In 2017, Jim from East Ayrshire, was diagnosed and treated for mouth cancer after feeling a slight discomfort when eating.

Jim said, “I was diagnosed back in 2017 after finding a lump in my mouth. It never crossed my mind that I might have a cause for concern and continued to leave it for a few weeks before going to get it checked out by a GP who referred me to the hospital.There are a lot of misconceptions around mouth cancer, and it might surprise you to learn that I don’t smoke or drink alcohol at all.

“I think if I knew more about what signs and symptoms to look out for and attended a dentist regularly, things might have been different.”

Jim added, “I had dentures and never thought it was important to see a dentist.Please don’t make that mistake. During your appointment, your dentist will check for mouth cancer and look for anything that might be a cause for concern. That’s why it’s so important to keep regular dental check-ups. It’s not just about the health of our teeth and gums – a trip to the dentist could really be a life saver.”

For more information visit www.mouthcancer.org

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