Oral Cancer Screening

Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world. Sadly, around 8,300 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year in the UK. Oral cancer can develop at any age, although it affects adults over the age of 55 more often, and men are more likely to develop cancer than women.

Why is mouth cancer screening done?

As with any other kind of cancer, early detection is the most important. Cancer diagnosed early gives a better chance for a complete cure, and the treatment is less severe and invasive.
Unfortunately, it is quite often detected too late as patients are missing their regular dental examination appointments. If you have any concerns, you must mention them and get it checked by your dentist or GP.

What risk factors increase the chance of mouth cancer?

Commonly observed risk factors are:

• Smoking or using tobacco of any kind, including chewable tobacco
• drinking alcohol
• being previously diagnosed with mouth cancer
• infection with the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

How is cancer screening carried out?

During each dental examination, your dentist will check your medical history and lifestyle, perform extraoral and intraoral examinations checking for any abnormalities, signs or symptoms on your teeth and surrounding tissues.

When your dentist finds something unusual, they will refer you to a hospital for further investigation.