DTUK1710

A wareness of the risk fac- tors and symptoms of oral cancer is ‘too low’ in the UK, according to the British Dental Health Foundation. A new study published in the British Dental Journal revealed that the majority of mouth cancer sufferers ignore the first symptoms of the disease and do not seek the advice of a healthcare professional during the early stages. The Scottish research, entitled The experiences of young oral can- cer patients in Scotland: symptom recognition and delays in seeking professional help, was conducted by lead author Liz Grant, a pub- lic health pharmacist from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. The research team inter- viewed relatively young mouth cancer patients in Scotland and found that most had heard of oral cancer but didn’t think their symptoms were indicative of the life-threatening illness. Furthermore, 40 per cent of the participants decided to self manage their symptoms and sought over- the-counter treatments which were suggested by a pharmacist. Chief executive of the Bri- tish Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter said the study further confirms gaps in und- erstanding and awareness of oral cancer. He said: “Public awareness of oral cancer and the associated risk factors appears to be too low here in the UK. An awareness of the risk factors and symptom recognition by the public is a critical issue in determining survival rates, as early detec- tion greatly improves the chanc- es of survival. “Almost 90 per cent of pa- tients who were interviewed had a prior knowledge of oral cancer and the causes such as tobacco and alcohol. However, this prior knowledge was nei- ther instrumental for them to suspect they may have mouth cancer nor did it prompt them to visit a healthcare profession- al in the first place.” None of the interviewees tho- ught it would happen to them. A third of interviewees men- tioned their first sign as some kind of ‘lump’, a few described a ‘white spot’ ‘mark’ or ‘patch’ and two described an abscess. It was also found that wast- ing time of a healthcare pro- fessional or appearing to be a hypochondriac was a delaying factor in patients seeking help. For those attempting self treatment there was an inevita- bly some delay in visiting their GP or dentist. This period of delay in these cases ranged from a few days to two months. The period of time which elapsed between the in- terviewees noticing their symp- toms and them making contact with a health care professional varied from a few days to a year, although two thirds saw some- one within eight weeks. Participants who had taken part were all in their thirties and forties and from Scotland. Mouth cancer has previously been found to be more common in men than women and people over the age of 40, though an increasing number of women and young people are develop- ing the condition. Tobacco and alcohol are thought to contribute to at least three–quarters of mouth cancer cases. Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases. Evidence shows an increase in fruit and vegetables lowers the risk, as can fish and eggs. Around 5,000 people in the United Kingdom are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year, claiming the lives of almost 2,000, making it the UK’s fastest growing cancer. DT Awareness of oral cancer ‘too low’ in the UK June 28-July 4, 20106 News United Kingdom Edition NEXT GENERATION Call Panadent: 01689 881 788 or visit www.panadent.net NowyoucanwithViziLite Plus™ Canyouseethe cancerinthismouth? ‘Routinecheck-upssavelives’ The economical,disposable screening test Approved by