Over half of all mouth cancers are diagnosed at either stage 3 or 4 (the most advanced stages of cancer), and men are most likely to leave it too long before seeing a medical professional.
Paul Brocklehurst, a consultant in dental public health at Public Health Wales, said, “As with all cancers, early diagnosis means prompt treatment to target cancers before they spread.
“If anyone notices one of the warning signs, they should either see their dental professional or their GP. It is also essential to attend routine dental check-ups as dental professionals are trained to spot the early signs of mouth cancer.”
Welsh data has revealed there is a year-on-year increase in mouth cancer incidence, and this is highest in the most deprived areas of Wales. The main risk factors for this type of cancer are sunlight (lip), tobacco and alcohol (tongue and floor of mouth) and the human papilloma virus (back of the mouth).
Mouth cancer is seen twice as often in men as in women, with cases peaking between 60 and 69 years old. Data has revealed that nearly 120 men died of mouth cancer in Wales in 2022.
Symptoms of mouth cancer can be mistaken for other problems like ulcers, candidal infections or white patches, so it is important to get them checked out.
Symptoms can include:
- A mouth ulcer in your mouth that lasts more than three weeks
- A red or white patch inside your mouth
- A lump inside your mouth or on your lip
- Pain inside your mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty speaking or a hoarse (croaky) voice
- A lump in your neck or throat
- Losing weight without trying