Mouth  cancer is diagnosed in 5000 people annually and kills almost 2000 people each year - that's one death every five hours. Yet better awareness and early detention  save lives - early diagnosis improves survival chances to more than 90%.

Preventing mouth cancer

Every month give a TLC check - remember check TONGUE (under as well), LIPS, CHEEK

You're looking for:

• any ulcers, sores on the face, neck or mouth that do not heal within three weeks
• sellings, lumps or bumps on the lips, gums or other areas inside the mouth
• white, red or dark patches in mouth
• repeated bleeding in the mouth
• have ill-fitting dentures

You are at a higher risk of developing Oral Cancer if:

• you smoke
• you chew tobacco products
• drink excessive amounts of alchol
• you are exposed to sunlight on a regular basis
• have habits such as lip and cheek biting

Follow these 7 easy steps mouth cancer self examination

TOBACCO – how can I quit smoking?

Tobacco is the most common cause of mouth cancer. Risk is the same for users of all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, paan, areca nut and guthka.

Research has found that switching to low-tar cigarettes does not help either as users are likely to inhale more smoke to compensate.

How can I quit?

Speak to your pharmacist about nicotine replacement such as chewing gum or patches.

The NHS stop smoking service operates out of pharmacies and includes support groups and treatment options.

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is another major risk factor – more than 7 in 10 people diagnosed drink more than the recommended daily limit.

Drinking increases the mouth's rate of absorption of tobacco. People who drink and smoke to excess are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

It is recommended that men drink no more than 3-4 units per day and women drink no more than 2-3. (One unit is equivalent to ½ a pint of lager, a single measure of spirits or a small glass of wine).

DIET

A healthy balanced diet containing the recommended five a day fruit and vegetable portions can help lower mouth cancer risk.

Studies have also suggested that each extra portion of fruit and veg lowers risks yet further.

Eat green and yellow fresh fruit and vegetables every day - bananas, peppers, broccoli, beans and cabbage are good sources of beta-carotene that can help to prevent other cancers too.

Fish and eggs have also been linked to reduced risk.

SUNBLOCK

To prevent lip cancer make sure you wear protective screening lotion when the sun is shining.

Living with mouth cancer

The recovery period can be a difficult time for some mouth cancer patients. After treatment, patients may have problems with breathing, swallowing, drinking and eating. Speech may also be affected, and occasionally even lost. Facial disfigurement can also occur.

This can lead to other problems such as nutritional deficiency, and depression. Difficulties in communication, low self-esteem, social isolation and the impact on relationships can cause as much distress as the cancer itself.

Rehabilitation is therefore a very important part of the treatment. The healthcare team will make sure that a patient is able to access services that may include:

• reconstructive or plastic surgery
• speech therapy
• dietary counselling
• emotional support

It has been proven that if patients continue to smoke or drink after treatment of mouth cancer, there is a much higher risk of the cancer coming back, or even of new cancers.

Patients who have had mouth cancer must be closely monitored to make sure that the cancer does not return. Survival rates have improved over the last 20 years and if cancer is caught early it can be cured. With the right care, cancer patients can have a good quality of life.

Treating Mouth Cancer

The treatment will depend on the stage and site of the cancer and the effect of the treatment on functions such as speech, chewing, and swallowing. Each treatment option can unfortunately cause unwanted side effects. So the quality of the patient's life can be drastically affected within the first few months of treatment. However, treatment of mouth cancer is necessary and important and the chances of long-term survival are much better if the cancer is treated early.

Surgery

Patients may need surgery to remove the cancer. If the cancer has spread, it may be necessary to remove parts of the jaw or neck. The patient’s stay in hospital will depend on the extent of the surgery and whether or not they have had skin or tissue grafts. Surgery can be disfiguring and therefore distressing for the patient to cope with. The organisation Changing Faces can provide invaluable advice and support for patients.

External radiotherapy

External radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays from a machine with beam that can be aimed as accurately as possible to damage the cancer cells and stop them spreading. It affects only the cells in the treated area. It can also be used after surgery to make sure that all the cancer has been removed. External radiotherapy usually involves the patient visiting the hospital everyday for around six weeks, although this will vary according to the needs of the individual.

Implant radiotherapy

Implant radiotherapy involves putting metal rods or pellets containing radioactive material directly onto the cancer or the surrounding tissue. The implant is left in for about seven days. During this time the patient has to stay in hospital, and time with visitors and care staff is limited, so that they are not exposed to the radiation. In some cases, internal and external radiotherapy can be used together. Radiation damages the salivary glands. Because of this, loss of taste and dry mouth is a common side effect. Fortunately, it is possible to relieve the symptoms of dry mouth using special medications.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy involves using specific drugs to kill the cancer cells.

These are swallowed or injected into the vein to enter the bloodstream and reduce the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy can also be used to shrink the cancer before surgery. The most common side effect of chemotherapy is feeling sick and being sick, and hair loss is also likely. Chemotherapy can also cause anaemia, dry mouth, mouth sores and people may become depressed. The Cancer Life Centre is a website that has more information about chemotherapy, the side effects and coping with the treatment.