NHS Dentists Advise Regular Mouth Checks To Reduce Cancer Risk - National Study Suggests Alcohol To Blame For Oral Cancer Increase In Over-40s, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 12 Aug 2009 - 19:00 PDT

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Dentists in Somerset are advising patients that regular dental checks remain the best way for the early detection of serious health problems, such as mouth cancer.

The recommendation comes on the heels of a new report from Cancer Research UK which claims that alcohol is largely to blame for a worrying rise in the rate of oral cancers among men and women in their 40s. In the UK numbers of cancers of the lip, mouth, tongue and throat in this age group have risen by 26% in the past decade.

Commenting upon the charity's findings, Martin Fulford, NHS Somerset's Dental Advisor, said: "Mouth cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed early. Tobacco remains the main risk factor for oral cancer but for people in their 40s, there are also other factors contributing to this jump in oral cancer rates.

"This latest report suggests alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and this might be contributing to the upward trend in mouth cancers we are seeing throughout the UK. People in Somerset have good access to NHS dental care. However, early detection of mouth cancer is essential if see are to see a reduction in the 1,800 deaths across the UK which occur each year. "

Source
NHS Somerset