Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:37:5
Ayinde O. Chase - AHN Editor
London, England (AHN) - Cases of mouth cancer or oral cancer have risen in the United Kingdom by 41 percent over the last 10 years. According to researchers nearly 5,325 people get cancer of the mouth each year and the disease kills one person every five hours. Treated in its early stages, mouth cancer is curable but if not detected early, it kills around one in two sufferers.
Medical officials classify the disease as a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth including the lips and tongue. What has health practitioners particularly worried is that anyone can be affected by the disease. Smoking, or chewing tobacco, greatly increases your chances of getting mouth cancer along with heavy drinking. However, if you do both, your chances of getting mouth cancer are much greater.
Researchers have found that the cancer is more common in men than women and more likely to occur in people age 40 years and older.
Experts today, however, are concerned about rising numbers of this cancer in younger age groups. The HPV virus spread through sexual contact is believed to be a direct causal link for more instances of the disease.
Experts say mouth cancers often appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally or, less often, as a red or white patch in the mouth. Dental Authorities have launched several campaigns with the hope of encouraging people to understand their level of risk for the disease and are advising dentists to be vigilant in their examination procedures.
Many UK dental practices now offer a mouth cancer screening service to increase preventative measures and provide early detection treatments for those afflicted. Medical officials believe assessing predisposition can lead to awareness of personal risk for the disease and to help in changing lifestyle habits.
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