The Orthodontic Connection

Feb 08

We are pleased to be able to announce that we have recently joined forces with The Orthodontic Connection, who will be able to offer in house Orthodontic services for both adults and children. Please click here  for more information.

MOUTH CANCER AWARENESS

Thursday 15th November 2007

Demands In House Of Commons

Dental experts called for more research into mouth cancer yesterday morning as it was revealed that while the number of people killed by cancer has fallen by 15 percent in the last 30 years, there has been no reduction in the number of mouth cancer deaths.

Professor Saman Warnakulasuriya, Chair in Oral Medicine & Experimental Oral Pathology at London’s King’s College, addressed an audience of politicians, mouth cancer sufferers and leading dental figures at the official launch of the Mouth Cancer Awareness campaign at the House of Commons.

The shocking fact was unveiled as the British Dental Health Foundation announced that the results of the National Dental Survey 2007 showed a ‘dangerous lack of awareness of mouth cancer’ in the UK – with one in four people never having heard of the condition and even fewer able to identify the risk factors.

Professor Warnakulasuriya said, ‘The failure to improve mouth cancer death rates over the last 30 years reflects the advanced stages patients present with the condition, as well as a lack of clinical trials to find new generation anti-cancer medicines to combat the disease.

‘We need research into why people with mouth cancer symptoms such as ulcers that don’t heal or red or white patches in the mouth are so slow to visit their dentist.

‘We also need to develop innovative ways of genetic screening to develop new treatments. Mortality rates of other cancers have improved as new treatments are introduced but mouth cancer patients are still receiving the same treatment as they did 30 years ago.

‘It is clear that much innovation is needed if we are to improve survival rates.’

The event also featured a reading by mouth cancer survivor and poet, Bob Crew, who received a standing ovation at the end of his piece < Poisoned the of>, which labelled the condition: ‘A biting crab, aggressive, vicious and nasty.’

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of campaign co-ordinators the British Dental Health Foundation, commented, ‘Our survey proves that awareness of this condition is dangerously low.

‘The number of mouth cancer cases is increasing every year and more and more young people and women are being affected.

‘People need to reduce their risk and that involves giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake and eating a healthy balanced diet.’

IF IN DOUBT GET CHECKED OUT

November 11th 2007

Mouth cancer has seen an increase in the number of new cases in the last four years, kills one person every five hours and carries a mortality rate of 50 percent. Despite these shocking statistics only one in four¹ people in the UK are aware of the disease.

Anyone can be diagnosed with mouth cancer and there are on average over 4,750 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Annually, organisations such as Denplan, the British Dental Health Foundation, the British Dental Association and the Mouth Cancer Foundation take part in Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. The week, as its name suggests, aims to raise awareness of the disease, help educate the nation about the associated risk factors, give advice and guidance on detection, and emphasise the importance of regular dental examinations.

Last year over 17,000 free posters were distributed by Denplan to dental practices, health centres, pharmacies, universities and offices to help raise the profile of the campaign. This year has seen the biggest demand for posters, with 20,000 sent out across the UK already.

Thousands of dental practices across the country are participating, helping to build awareness amongst their patients and the local community by holding drop-in clinics for mouth cancer check-ups and putting up posters within their practice. Year on year, Mouth Cancer Awareness Week increases its profile and more people become involved in events and activities to help publicise the dangers of the disease.

This year the week runs from 11 - 17 November under the campaign theme of ‘If in doubt, get checked out’, focusing on the early warning signs associated with the disease. The campaign is advising people to be aware of changes in their mouth and encouraging them to look out for symptoms such as mouth ulcers that don’t heal and red or white patches in the mouth. By highlighting some tell-tell signs to patients, you could help raise awareness of the disease and increase the number of patients who can detect the early signs.

Get involved
It is vitally important that as many people as possible get involved in raising awareness of mouth cancer, as awareness can literally mean the difference between life and death. Nearly 1,700 people in the UK die from mouth cancer every year, but the chances of surviving mouth cancer can increase from 50 percent to nearly 90 percent if it is detected and treated early.

To find out more about mouth cancer and mouth cancer awareness week visit www.mouthcancer.org