November was Mouth Cancer Action Month; an event held every year with the support of the Mouth Cancer Foundation and the Oral Health Foundation. Its aim is to raise public awareness of mouth cancer, and to promote vigilance amongst dental and medical professionals in assessing for its signs and symptoms.
In support of Mouth Cancer Action Month, an event was hosted at the House of Commons on November 21, 2024. Members of the profession discussed what can be done to improve the state of mouth cancer across the UK, and to engage with government to raise awareness of this issue.
The importance of increased awareness
The Oral Health Foundation published The State of Mouth Cancer UK Report 2024, which explored the prevalence of mouth cancer in the UK, as well as public awareness, and the experiences of survivors. It revealed that only 77 per cent of UK adults were aware of the possibility that cancer can develop in the mouth. This lack of awareness is troubling, as it may hinder early detection and treatment of the condition.
Tim Newton, president of the Oral Health Foundation, opened the parliamentary event and welcomed guests in attendance, highlighting the work of the foundation, and the aims for the session. Tim was followed by Mahesh Kumar, president of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, who discussed the importance of Mouth Cancer Action Month. He introduced Joe Butler, a mouth cancer survivor, who shared his story.
Joe was 26 when he received his diagnosis, after his dentist noticed an ulcer on the side of his tongue, and referred him to the hospital for further investigation, where he received a biopsy. He discussed his journey with treatment and recovery, with his personal story touching all those in attendance. He stressed that, although he wishes that he had never had mouth cancer, he considers himself lucky that his symptoms were identified in his routine dental appointment, allowing him to receive the diagnosis and treatment needed to overcome his illness.
Mouth cancer charter
Mouth cancer is on the rise, with 10,825 new cases diagnosed in the UK in 2023, a 133 per cent rise in 20 years. This highlights the need for change to help bring cases down through awareness of risk factors, and early diagnosis.
The mouth cancer charter highlights seven main areas which could improve the early detection and treatment of mouth cancer in the UK. These are:
- A government funded campaign to raise the public’s awareness of mouth cancer
- Improve access to routine dentistry for early detection of mouth cancer
- Enable enhanced training of GPs to identify suspected mouth cancers and update NICE guidelines
- Improve training programmes for healthcare staff to look for signs of mouth cancer
- Introduce free dental check-ups and treatment for mouth cancer patients
- Support the development of better technology to diagnose mouth cancers to improve early detection and patient outcomes
- Improve referral pathways for faster diagnosis and treatment of mouth cancer
Early detection to make a difference
Identifying mouth cancer in its early stages is crucial for improving outcomes for patients, with early detection boosting chances of survival from 50 per cent to 80 per cent. Bill Brodie, CEO of Vigilant Biosciences, stressed this during his session at the event. He highlighted the enormous difference it can make to patients when mouth cancer is detected very early, and the role that the BeVigilant OraFusion System can play in identifying cancer before signs are visible in a clinical examination.
The system identifies two key biomarkers associated with oral cancer, combined with information about a patient’s risk factors, to produce a result of ‘Monitor’ or ‘Investigate Further’. This assists clinicians in their decision making around early-stage mouth cancer.
It is essential that the profile of mouth cancer is raised across the UK, as this is the only way that patients will check their own health effectively, and seek the advice of a professional when they notice something unusual. With the support of the profession, government, emerging technologies, and events such as this during Mouth Cancer Action Month, change can happen.
References available on request.
For more information visit www.vigilantbiosciences.com