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Release: Immediate
CHARITY CALLS FOR ORAL CANCER SCREENING TEST
The UK’s leading mouth cancer campaigners have called for the introduction of a new HPV test in Britain which would help diagnose mouth cancer at an early stage.
The British Dental Health Foundation, organisers of Mouth Cancer Action Month, have welcomed the screening procedure which detects a virus strongly linked to oral and throat cancer.
In the lead up to World Cancer Day on February 4, the Foundation believes the introduction of the test, which is already widely available in America, would dramatically cut the current number of mouth cancer deaths.
The examination itself is for the oral human papilloma virus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted, and can be tested for right in the dentist’s chair.
It requires the patient to gargle a special saltwater solution for half a minute and then spit into a tube which is sent away for testing.
The test identifies one of two exceptionally dangerous forms of HPV " known as 16 and 18 " long before the virus develops into cancer and creates lesions.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter stressed the importance of early diagnosis.
Dr Carter said: “Currently the best chance of beating the cancer comes from early detection, improving survival rates to more than 90 per cent, so it is important to follow the slogan of the Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign: ‘If in doubt, get checked out.’
“Mouth cancer is a potentially fatal condition that is taking more lives each year.”
Without early diagnosis chances of survival could plummet down to 50 percent.
Mouth cancer has previously been found to be more common in men than women and people over the age of 40, though an increasing number of men and young people are developing the condition.
That is why the charity is strongly advising people of all ages to start checking their mouths more frequently and continue to attend their check–ups on a regular basis.
Three quarters of all mouth cancer cases have been linked to tobacco and smoking while chewing tobacco and the likes of paan and guthka also place people at considerable risk.
People who smoke and drink have been found to be at higher risk and are up to 30 times more likely to develop the condition.
Poor diet is also a contributing factor.
Initial signs of mouth cancer can include a non–healing mouth ulcer, a red or white patch in the mouth or unusual lumps or swelling in the mouth.
Mouth cancer claims the lives of 2,000 every year, making it the UK’s fastest growing cancer.
For information and expert advice on mouth cancer and other oral health issues call the Dental Helpline on 0845 063 1188, alternatively visit the website at www.mouthcancer.org
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Editor’s notes
For further information please contact the Foundation’s Press Office on 01788 539 792 or email pr@dentalhealth.org.
You can find more information on mouth cancer at the website www.mouthcancer.org
Facts and Figures
In the UK around 5,000 are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year.
Mouth cancer is more common in men than women, but the gap is closing.
Mouth cancer is more likely to affect people over 40 years of age, though an increasing number of young people are developing the condition.
Tobacco and alcohol are thought to contribute to at least three"quarters of mouth cancer cases.
Smoking is the number one cause for mouth cancer. Cigarette smoke converts saliva into a deadly cell"damaging cocktail.
Switching to low"tar cigarettes will not help, as smokers of ‘lights’ tend to inhale more smoke than smokers of ‘regular’ cigarettes.
Alcohol aids absorption of smoke into the mouth " people who smoke and drink alcohol to excess are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases. Evidence shows an increase in fruit and vegetables lowers the risk, as can fish and eggs.
It is recommended that people enjoy a healthy, balanced diet, including food from each of the major food groups and including fruit and vegetables of all different colours as each colour contains different vitamins.
Research now suggests the human papilloma virus (HPV) " transmitted by oral sex " could soon rival smoking and drinking as a main cause of mouth cancer.
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