UK’s first report into mouth cancer reveals huge gamble the nation is taking with its health

The UK’s first State of Mouth Cancer Report highlights the sharp rise in the number of mouth cancer cases and finds most Brits are unaware of the signs and symptoms associated with the disease.      

The eye-opening report shows nearly 8,300 people a year are now diagnosed with mouth cancer – a 49 per cent increase compared to a decade ago.

According to the report, just under half (45 per cent) of British adults admit to not having any understanding about mouth cancer. Three in four (75 per cent) say they do not know the symptoms while more than four in five (82 per cent) do not know where mouth cancer appears.

Published by the Oral Health Foundation and Simplyhealth Professionals to coincide with November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, the findings also show a severe lack of awareness regarding the risk factors linked with mouth cancer.

Speaking on the release of the report, Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said, “We have published this report to highlight the need for greater awareness of mouth cancer. It is extremely concerning to see the lack of basic knowledge about the disease, especially as it continues to affect more people every year.