1 November 2012

Dental staff and students come together for Mouth Cancer Awareness Week

Photo opportunity: 1pm on Monday, 5th November at Dundee University Students Association (DUSA). Students from the Dental School will be giving oral health advice to members of the public.

Dental staff and students from the University of Dundee will next week be highlighting the issue of mouth cancer - a disease in which Scotland has the highest rate of incidence in the UK.

As part of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week (MCAW) 2012, students will be highlighting the issue of mouth cancer with a range of activities while a care pathway has been created for anyone who has concerns but who is not registered with a dentist.

Oral cancer incidence is increasing in the UK and - with 6000 cases - it is the sixth most common form of cancer. Scotland has the highest incidence of mouth cancer in the UK with 11.9 cases per 100,000 persons compared to 8.1 in England and 9.4 in Wales. Oral hygiene, diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all be risk factors for mouth cancer.

The student teams are keen to discuss oral health matters and will be present in Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) between 12.45-1.45pm each day next week. An interactive stall will provide information and to raise awareness of the importance of oral health and the risk factors for oral disease and oral cancer, while free samples of toothpaste and other dental care products will also be available.

Additional sessions will take place at the main University library from 7-8.30pm each evening,

"This is a major health issue across the UK and particularly in Scotland, oral cancer affects more people than testicular and cervical cancer combined," said Simon Shepherd, of the University of Dundee Dental School.

"Early detection and treatment of the disease is vital. In addition we need to be raising the awareness of the risk factors and what people can do to help prevent the disease. People can reduce the risk of mouth cancer by limiting the amount of alcohol they consume, adopting a healthier diet, and not smoking.

"Smoking and alcohol are the two main risk factors for the disease, which is why it is so important to make young people aware of the risks. Mouth cancer can affect people of all ages. Historically, oral cancer mainly affected older age groups but now one in ten cases is found in the under-45 age group."

Attending your dentist for regular check ups is the best way to ensure early detection and treatment of the disease. Symptoms of oral cancer might include:

• Ulcers that do not heal within two weeks.
• Red/white patches.
• Lumps or overgrowths in the head & Neck region.
• Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth.

It is important to note that very few oral complaints end up being diagnosed as oral cancer but it is important that any suspicious symptoms lasting for longer than two weeks need to be examined

The care pathway for patients not registered with dentists allows them to register at the Accident and Emergency department at the Dental Hospital in Park Place during next week. They will then be offered an assessment via clinicians from the A&E, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine departments.

Fundraising events, including an acoustic night, raffles and sponsored runs, will take place over the course of the week. Proceeds will be donated to The Ben Walton Trust, a charity dedicated to raising the profile of oral cancer in the UK.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277