Men twice as likely to develop oral cancer

The latest data shows that around 5,300 men are diagnosed with oral cancer every year in the UK compared to around 2,500 women.

The data also reveals that oral cancer is more often diagnosed in men at a younger age compared with other cancers. Oral cancer is the 11^th most common male cancer overall, but among men aged 45 – 59 it is the fourth most common.

Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips, tonsils and the middle part of the throat (oropharynx).

To help tackle the rise in oral cancer, Cancer Research UK offers a free online educational resource for dental professionals and GPs to help them to spot the disease earlier, supported by the British Dental Association and accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

The Oral Cancer Recognition Toolkit includes information on how to identify signs and symptoms, referral pathways and how to prevent the disease.

The resource has already been accessed by over 25,000 dental professionals and GPs across the UK and was shortlisted as a finalist at the Pharmaceutical Market Excellence Awards for the Excellence in Healthcare Professional Education and Support category.