Trends Boozy Britons could cause mouth cancer cases to soar

[Lunar Loops]

This press release from the dentalhealth.org (UK) website:

Boozy Britons could cause mouth cancer cases to soar

Date: 07/11/2006
Release: Immediate



The UK’s leading oral health charity has warned that Britain’s increasing drinking culture could cause the number of mouth cancer cases to spiral to new levels.

The British Dental Health Foundation was speaking after government statistics revealed the number of alcohol related deaths in the UK has almost doubled since 1991.

In the UK one person is killed every five hours by mouth cancer, while people who drink alcohol to excess are four times more likely to develop the condition. Furthermore, heavy drinkers who also smoke are a staggering ‘up to 30 times’ more likely to develop mouth cancer.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, commented: “Most people are aware that smoking increases your cancer risk but not everyone realises just how dangerous excessive alcohol consumption can be.

“People are drinking more and more these days and, with many so called ‘social smokers’ having a cigarette while they drink the likelihood is that the number of mouth cancer cases will continue to rise until people are forced to take notice.”

The Foundation’s warning came in advance of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week (November 12-18). The campaign is being launched on Monday (November 13) by chief dental officer Barry Cockroft and aims to halt the continued rise in the number of people suffering with mouth cancer.

The campaign is using the tagline ‘If in doubt, get checked out’ to persuade people to check their mouths regularly for any changes.

Dr Carter continued: “The first sign of mouth cancer can often be something seemingly harmless such as an ulcer that won’t heal, a lump or a red or white patch in the mouth.

“Early detection of the condition increases survival chances from just one in two to nine out of 10.

“While people with these symptoms should not panic - as often these things will have a perfectly harmless explanation - anyone noticing changes in their mouth should see their dentist or doctor immediately to put their mind at rest.”

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