“ Mouth Cancer Action Month aims to increase awareness of
signs and symptoms, encourage early detection and reduce
risk. Nearly 9 in 10 people have heard of mouth cancer, yet many remain unaware of its warning signs and causes. With diagnoses continuing to rise, we need your help to share life-saving information. Together we can encourage more people to recognise symptoms early, seek prompt professional advice and learn about the risk factors. ”
Kerry Geldart, Interim Chief Executive of Oral Health Foundation
Key risk factors
The main risk factors of mouth cancer include:
• Smoking.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Smokeless tobacco products (e.g. Paan).
• HPV.
But other things like lifestyle factors, previous cancer
diagnosis, certain genetic conditions, and poor diet choices
can also raise your risk.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes and
reduces the need for extensive treatment.
Key statistics
• Last year 11,140 people were diagnosed with
mouth cancer.
• Most of these diagnoses are made at stage 3 or 4
when the condition is much more advanced and
treatment options are more invasive.
• 3,650 people lose their life every year to mouth
cancer. That is one person every 2.4 hours.
For more information about how to spot the signs of mouth cancer and details of the campaign use the link below