Mouth Cancer Action Month: Detection Matters
November marks Mouth Cancer Action Month, a critical time for awareness and early detection. According to the recent Oral Health Foundation’s State of Mouth Cancer report, over 10,800 new cases of mouth cancer are now diagnosed each year in the UK – a sharp rise in recent years.
Despite this growing number, too few people know what to look out for: only about 20% of UK adults can identify the major signs, and awareness of key risk factors is even lower.
At CK Dental, our team is committed to playing its part in this campaign. We believe that every dental check-up is an opportunity – not just for cleaning and filling, but for life-saving screening.
Why mouth cancer awareness is so significant
Mouth cancer is rising fast: diagnoses have grown significantly over the past two decades.
Unfortunately, it’s often detected late. Many patients don’t act on early signs, and when cancer is advanced, it becomes much harder to treat effectively.
Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, with much better survival rates when cancer is caught in its initial stages.
Symptoms to watch for
At CK Dental, we emphasise how vital it is for both patients and dental professionals to stay alert to persistent or unusual changes in the mouth. Here are some of the common warning signs:
- Mouth ulcers that don’t heal within two to three weeks
- Red or white patches on the oral tissues (tongue, gums, cheeks)
- Unexplained lumps or swellings in the mouth or lymph glands
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent sore throat
- Loose teeth without a clear cause
- Unexplained weight loss
While these signs might seem harmless – a stubborn ulcer, a small patch of discolouration, minor discomfort – but at CK Dental we never dismiss them lightly.
How our dentists can help
Our experienced dentists are trained to carry out a mouth cancer screening during routine check-ups, and we take any persistent or unusual lesions very seriously. If we spot something suspicious, we’ll act quickly to refer patients for further investigation. This vigilance is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against late diagnosis.
Prevention is a big part of our message. Here are some simple but effective ways to reduce risk:
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing
- Attend your regular dental check-ups – we can examine every part of the oral cavity carefully.
If you’re due a check-up, or if you’ve noticed something unusual in your mouth that concerns you, get in touch with our friendly Clifton team to book an appointment.
