Mouth Cancer Screening

Mouth cancer is not as common as breast, cervical or skin cancer, but those patients unfortunate enough to suffer from cancer of the tongue, lips or throat are more likely to die from their disease.

Even with treatment, around 50% of people with oral cancer die from their disease; in the UK this equates to around 1700 people per year. The reason for the high mortality rate is because mouth cancers are often not detected early enough for treatment to be effective.

Mouth cancers are not always painful and sufferers often have no idea that there is anything wrong. Symptoms include:

– Ulcers that don’t heal;
– Red, white or black patches, lumps or bumps that don’t go away;
– Sudden changes to how well your dentures fit (for example, they become uncomfortable or loose fitting).

If you think that you may have any of these symptoms then it is important that you contact us straightaway, so that your dentist can thoroughly examine you and ensure that you receive any necessary treatment without delay.

Symptoms of mouth cancer are not easy to detect with the naked eye, though. The only professional who is specifically trained to spot early signs of mouth cancer and who has the equipment to examine your mouth thoroughly is your dentist. This is why it is so crucial that you schedule regular check-ups with your dentist: as well as maintaining your smile, your dentist could save your life.

At Bow House we take our responsibility to detect early signs of cancer very seriously. We offer all of our patients a quick and painless oral cancer scan for free, as part of your annual check-up or if you have any concerns. New patients are also offered a free scan as part of your initial consultation.
If you are at all concerned that you may have oral cancer, please contact us to arrange a mouth cancer scan with one of our experienced dentists. You can also find useful information here:

Mouth Cancer Foundation
Giving up smoking