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Posts Tagged ‘Mouth Cancer Awareness Month’

Why Oral Screening is Important

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

585811_blogNovember is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month and we are determined to do everything we can to raise awareness of the importance of oral screening in Leeds. It sounds extreme to say a trip to the dentist could save your life, but with screening, this really is the case.

About screening

Screening is carried out to identify early warnings signs of dental diseases. We are able to use the latest technology to spot potential signs of dental decay and oral cancer before they become visible to the naked eye. In the case of oral cancer, the time of diagnosis is particularly important, as cancer can progress very quickly and the earlier it is treated, the higher the chance of survival.

Screening is nothing to be frightened of or worried about. The tests take minutes and there is no pain involved. In the unlikely event that potential problems are detected, further tests can be arranged and any treatment required can be administered as quickly as possible.

Looking out for signs of oral cancer

Although oral cancer affects more than 6,000 people in the UK every year, surveys suggest that many people are still unaware of what causes oral cancer and which symptoms to look out for. The main risk factors include drinking alcohol on a regular basis, smoking, a poor diet and HPV (human papilloma virus) infection. Symptoms to be wary of include any abnormal lumps or swelling in the mouth, mouth ulcers and sores that take a long time to heal, a persistent sore throat and difficulty swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s advisable to get checked out by your dentist or your GP.

If you’d like to find out more about our screening services or learn more about oral cancer, please don’t hesitate to call us and book an appointment.

There’s No Need For Mouth Cancer To Be A Scream With A Screen

Thursday, October 30th, 2014

4683491_blogCancer is a word that provokes fear in most of us and oral cancer is becoming more common in the UK. Our aim is to raise awareness of oral cancer and encourage our patients to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms. We provide oral cancer screening to ensure that cases are identified and diagnosed at a very early stage when the chances of treatment proving successful are much higher.

About oral cancer screening

Oral cancer screening enables us to identify changes in the soft tissue at a very early stage; we use advanced technology, which allows us to spot abnormalities before they become visible to the naked eye. If abnormalities are detected, we can then arrange for more tests and a diagnosis can be made at the earliest possible stage. With cancer, time is of the essence, as the disease develops and spreads; if oral cancer is diagnosed and treated early, the chances of survival are up to 90 per cent higher.

Screening is pain-free and quick; we simple use a device to look around the mouth and check the soft tissue; the test takes just a few minutes, but it could save your life.

November is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month and we are inviting everyone to come for screening. We cannot stress the benefits of screening enough and we are also on hand to discuss the causes and symptoms and talk to patients about mouth cancer.

Spotting the signs of oral cancer

The most common signs of oral cancer include mouth ulcers that take a long time to heal (see your dentist if you have had an ulcer for more than 2 weeks), red or white patches in the mouth or any lumps or abnormal swelling. Other signs may include problems with swallowing and a sore throat, which doesn’t improve after 7-14 days. It’s worth pointing out that in the vast majority of cases, these signs will not mean that you have oral cancer, but it is always best to be cautious and to get symptoms checked out by your doctor or dentist.