Mouth cancer checks on offer

MOUTH cancer is on the increase in Warrington and people are being offered free health checks for the disease on Thursday November 17.
Last year 200 people in the town were diagnosed with the disease, and the checks at Warrington Hospital are aimed at detecting early symptoms. Sessions will run from 9am to 12noon, and 1pm to 4pm.
The hospital’s Maxillofacial and Orthodontic department is inviting people to attend for a free check in the Maxillofacial department at the Appleton Wing. People can just turn up and no appointment is necessary.
Each year 5,000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer in the country and the disease kills almost 2,000 people.
Mouth Cancer Action Month aims at raising awareness of the early warning signs of the disease. Evidence shows that early diagnosis improves survival chances to more than 90 per cent.
Risk factors include smoking, excess alcohol and HPV – human papilloma virus, which is transmitted via oral sex. Regular visits to the dentists are recommended as dentists screen for signs of mouth cancer during examination.
Dr Adrian Thorp, associate specialist at the hospital, said: “Statistics are changing. Men were once five times more likely to develop mouth cancer, now it is twice as likely so it is affecting everyone. The age group affected is also falling from in the 40s to the 30s.”
He said anyone with doubts or worries should get themselves checked. Those who cannot make it to the event should look out for signs of the disease.
Dr Thorp said: “You should look out for ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings. If you have any concerns about your mouth make an appointment with your dentist immediately and make sure they know your worries.”
Pictured: Associate specialist Adrian Thorp with hospital practitioner Stephen Porter.