One in seven Brits affected by mouth cancer

Growing rates for mouth cancer now mean that one in seven Brits is affected by the condition, according to a study from the British Dental Health Foundation.

The new research investigated what percentage of people in the UK knew someone diagnosed with the disease, were a survivor themselves or were currently battling it.

New cases of mouth cancer are now approaching 7,000 per year and 2,000 deaths, leading campaigners to believe that soon more people will be touched by the disease in some way.

The study was published to help raise awareness throughout November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, which aims to get earlier diagnoses, and increase education about the risk factors, signs and symptoms.

In the last decade, mouth cancer has become prevalent, growing by over a third, and incident rates are expected to rise further in the coming years.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: "It is quite simple – knowing what to look for could save your life.

“Early detection of the disease can give you a near 90 percent chance of survival. If you present with symptoms that you have been unaware of or have left for too long, your chances of surviving drop to 50 per cent.”