Sunday 13 November 2005
This Mouth Cancer Awareness Week experts from The Institute of Cancer Research urge you to ‘Love your mouth’ and protect yourself from the devastating effects of mouth cancer.
Around 4,400 people in the UK are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year and almost 1,600 people die, meaning mouth cancer has a higher death rate per case than breast cancer or malignant melanoma.
The main causes of mouth cancer are smoking or chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. Smokers are four - five times more likely to develop cancer of the oral cavity than non-smokers*.
Professor David Phillips from The Institute of Cancer Research commented:
“The shocking news is that most cases of mouth cancer could easily be prevented. Unlike so many other cancers we are in the privileged position of knowing what causes most cases of the disease, so it’s imperative that we get the message across that you can drastically reduce your risk of this dreadful cancer by stopping smoking and by moderating your alcohol consumption.”
Cancer can develop in any part of the mouth including the tongue, gums, lining of the mouth and lips.
However, as with any cancer, if it is detected early enough the chances of survival are much higher. The signs to watch out for are:
- Mouth ulcers that don’t heal
- White or red patches in the mouth that don’t go away
- Lumps or thickening on the mouth or lip
Mouth cancer awareness week runs from the 13 - 19th November.
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*World Health Organisation
http://www.who.int/tobacco/resources/publications/smokersbody_en_fr.pdf
For interviews and further information please call:
The Institute of Cancer Research Press Office
Tel: 020 7153 5359
Out of hours: 07788 427856
Notes to Editors:
- The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe’s leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Website at: www.icr.ac.uk
- The Institute works in a unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, forming the largest comprehensive cancer centre in Europe. This relationship enables close daily contact with those on the frontline in the fight against cancer - the clinicians, the carers and most importantly, the patients.
- The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is one of the world’s most cost-effective major cancer research organisations with over 90p in every £ directly supporting research.
- Mouth Cancer Awareness Week is co-ordinated by the British Dental Health Foundation http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/mouth/