Mouth cancer campaign launches

The survey asked more than 2,000 people if they could name the four main risk factors for mouth cancer, with no-one able to identify the quartet of smoking, drinking alcohol to excess, poor diet and, despite Michael Douglas’ high profile case, the human papillomavirus (HPV), often transmitted via oral sex.

Worryingly, a large number of people mistakenly thought bad oral health was responsible for the disease while other answers included stress, smog, anaemia, snoring and even high blood pressure.

Latest figures show that mouth cancer cases exceeded 7,500 in 20112, and cases are expected to rise further. Mouth Cancer Action Month (1-30 November), organised by the British Dental Health Foundation and sponsored by Denplan and supported by Dentists’ Provident and the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease, including the risk factors and the signs and symptoms.

Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, hopes the campaign will form a springboard for raising awareness of mouth cancer.