Man from Bucks urges people to check for mouth cancer
Robert Powell was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2017
A husband and father from Bucks is urging people to learn about the symptoms associated with mouth cancer.
Robert Powell from Milton Keynes was diagnosed with stage two cancer of the right tonsil in 2017.
Though he had initially gone to the GPs about a persistent soar throat, it wasn't until a trip to the dentist where the cancer was discovered.
After undergoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and having to endue a feeding tube, among other things, Mr Powell is now cancer free but he is still having to endure some of the side effects caused by the cancer and treatment including a loss of taste and smell.
The sixty-year-old is now using his own experience to draw attention to mouth cancer. He is also encouraging people to not waste time if something doesn't seem quite right, as it could just save their life.
He said: "I probably put off having a consultation for five or six months because it just wasn't convenient for me, I didn't think it was serious, and I wasn't in the at-risk group."
35% increase in mouth cancer diagnoses compared to 10 years ago
According Oral Health Foundation mouth cancer is on the rise and last year almost 9,000 people were diagnosed with the condition. That's an increase of almost 35% compared to 10 years ago.
The majority of mouth cancers are found on the tongue (33%) or tonsils (23%) but more than half of adults in the UK are unaware that these are the prime spots.
Other locations include the gums, cheeks, roof and floor of the mouth, and back of the throat.
According to Mr Powell: "You can self check your mouth for any odd lesions, ulcers, sore patches. If they have been lingering there for more than two or three weeks, I would suggest you go and see your GP or, better still, your dentist."
His sentiments are echoed by Dr Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Denplan, who has said: "The importance of developing the habit of checking for mouth cancer at home in the bathroom while brushing teeth. Looking for unusual changes to the mouth. A self-check for mouth cancer takes a minute and could save your life.
"If you notice anything out of the ordinary, visit your dentist. If mouth cancer is caught early, the chances to beat it are good."
Other signs of mouth cancer could also be lumps and swelling in the mouth, as well as red or white patches.
3,000 died from mouth cancer last year
With over 3,000 people in the UK having lost their life to mouth cancer last year, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE said: "We urge everybody to become more ‘mouthaware’ by being able to recognise the early warning signs of mouth cancer and to be aware of the common causes."