Mouth cancer is one of a very small number of cancers which are on the rise. In the UK, cases have increased by 39% in the last decade and by 92% since the 1970s. According to Oral Health Foundation, Unfortunately, survival rates have not improved in the last 20 years either, that is why it is vitally important that everyone is more Mouth aware.
Pharmacists are being commended to be responsive to the patients coming in with possible symptoms of mouth cancer after it occurred that one in ten would show these symptoms to their pharmacist over a dentist or doctor.
A research was directed by the Oral Health Foundation as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month. According to Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, “Rather than advising a topical ulcer remedy, which could just mask the symptoms, it is important that pharmacy staff recognize that this could potentially be a sign of mouth cancer.”
The most common symptoms of mouth cancer to be shown to a pharmacist is a mouth ulcer that does not heal within two to three weeks and red or white patches in a person’s mouth and any unusual lumps or bumps around their head or neck. Early diagnosis transforms a person’s chances of beating the disease from 50 per cent to 90 percent.
Date: November 11, 2016