Mouth cancer
The rate of mouth cancer in Leicester is the highest in the East Midlands, so it’s important that you are aware of the symptoms, risk factors and ways of protecting yourself from it.
Who can get mouth cancer?
Mouth cancer can affect anyone, but there are risk factors that can increase the chances of it developing. Mouth cancer has strong links with smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking too much alcohol, and particularly men between the ages of 50 and 74.
What are the other risk factors of mouth cancer?
The main risk factors associated with mouth cancer are smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. However, some cases of mouth cancer have been linked with a lack of fruit and vegetables and too much sun exposure.
How can I lower my risk of mouth cancer?
The best way to reduce your risk is to stop smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption. Completing regular self-checks are also key to catching it early, you can learn how to complete a 2-minute self-check on YouTube.
Symptoms of mouth cancer
The symptoms you should look out for when checking for mouth cancer include:
- Long lasting mouth ulcers
- White or red patches on mouth or tongue
- Lumps bumps or changes of texture within the in mouth or on the neck,
- Loose teeth
- Sockets that don’t heal after tooth extraction
- Numb lips or tongue
- Changes in speech (such as developing a lisp)
What should I do if I have mouth cancer symptoms?
If you spot any signs of mouth cancer, your dentist should see you as an emergency, if you do not have a dentist speak to your GP.