In the UK, 38,000 people are living with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer, the sixth most common malignancy reported worldwide and one with high mortality rates. Unfortunately, it is on the increase, but screening dramatically improves the chances of recovery as well as the quality of life.
Screening is defined as a test performed on people to detect disease at an early stage before the onset of its signs and symptoms. Early detection by a mouth cancer screening test dramatically improves the chances of recovery.
A screening test must satisfy a few criteria to be effective and beneficial:
Mouth cancer screening forms an integral part of the comprehensive examinations that we carry out for our patients at Caversham Heights. We carefully check every nook and cranny in your mouth and neck region for any signs of abnormalities. We use photography and our intraoral cameras (pen-like with a camera at one end) if needed to reassure you or to ensure we are keeping a close eye on you. We also make sure we get to know you really well to find out if you smoke or have a high alcohol intake, as this increases one’s risk of oral cancer. We will encourage and help you give up these habits if you are in the right headspace for this.
If our dentists at Caversham Heights notice something that requires further investigation, a biopsy is swiftly organised, either in-house with our Associate Specialist Oral Surgeon, Mr Curtis or at your nearest hospital. We will ensure we find the answer to anything that we are not sure about. There are other innocuous conditions that can affect the mouth, and usually, further investigations, such as swabs or biopsies, are required to confirm the diagnosis and allow appropriate management. We will ensure that you are looked after, whatever the outcome may be.
Some of the possible symptoms of Head and Neck cancer:
Cause of Oral Cancers:
The exact aetiology behind oral cancers remains unknown, but there is some role of genetics. Personal habits and environment have a significant impact on developing oral cancers.
Some of the risk factors for Head and Neck Cancer:
Since smoking is strongly linked with many forms of cancer and other dental problems, we always encourage our patients to quit smoking. Caversham Heights also offers you a smoking cessation service.
Late detection of mouth cancers has resulted in a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer, or skin melanoma, with about 2,700 deaths per year in the UK.
It is recommended that you come in for a comprehensive examination, even if you have no teeth, at least once a year to check for Head and Neck cancer. If you develop any ulcers in your mouth or sores on your face that won’t go away, lumps in your neck, or anything you haven’t noticed before, no matter how small, it is very important that you come in to have it looked at.
