Cancer signs: Changes in your speech – see a GP ‘particularly if you drink or smoke’

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Around 8,300 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year in the UK, which is about one in every 50 cancers diagnosed, according to the NHS. Mouth cancer is the general term given to the variety of malignant tumours that develop in the mouth, according to The Mouth Cancer Foundation.

The NHS says that there are a number of symptoms of mouth cancer, including changes in speech, such as a lisp.

Other signs include mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks, unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away, unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions and an unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue.

It states that sometimes, white or red patches can occur on the lining of the mouth or tongue.

The health body says that you should see a GP or dentist if these symptoms do not get better within three weeks, “particularly if you drink or smoke”.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation says that the majority of deaths from mouth cancer occur because of late detection, “due to a low public awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risks”.

It explains that self-checks for mouth cancer take just two minutes and “could save your life, or someone you know”.

Indeed, the Oral Health Foundation states: “It is a good idea to get into the habit of regularly checking yourself for the early signs of mouth cancer, especially in the time between dental visits.  Take the time to perform a self check for mouth cancer every month.”

It adds: “Mouth cancer is often spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough mouth examination.”

The NHS says if mouth cancer is diagnosed early, a complete cure is often possible in up to nine in 10 cases using surgery alone.

If the cancer is larger, there’s still a good chance of a cure, but surgery should be followed by radiotherapy or a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

“Overall, around six in 10 people with mouth cancer will live for at least five years after their diagnosis, and many will live much longer without the cancer returning,” says the health body.

You are at increased risk of developing mouth cancer if you smoke or are using tobacco in other ways, such as chewing tobacco. As well as smoking there are several other risk factors. 

The Mouth Cancer Foundation says these include drinking alcohol to excess, which can increase risks fourfold, and having HPV.

The charity warns: “The majority of deaths from mouth cancer occur because of late detection, due to a low public awareness of the signs, symptoms, and risks”, hence the importance of quick self-checks for mouth cancer.

The NHS says: “Men are more likely to get mouth cancer than women. This may be because, on average, men tend to drink more alcohol than women.”

The NHS recommends you drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. If you drink as much as 14 units a week, it’s best to spread it evenly over three or more days.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation recommends that everyone over the age of 16 has a professional examination for early signs of mouth cancer, once a year, at their dentist.

Cancer Research UK says that if you go to see your GP,  they will ask you about your symptoms and they might examine you. They may arrange tests or a referral to a specialist.

It adds: “Even if you’re worried about what the symptom might be, don’t delay seeing them. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t make an appointment. The symptom might not be due to cancer. But if it is, the earlier it’s picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment. You won’t be wasting your doctor’s time.

“Try not to be embarrassed. What you tell your GP is confidential. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.”

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