Diabetes patients ‘need to take extra care over mouth cancer’

Patients with diabetes have been called upon to be extra-vigilant about monitoring their own potential risk of mouth cancer.

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) made the call following the recent publication of a study showing that people suffering with diabetes are almost 50 per cent more likely to develop head and neck cancer.

Cancer of the mouth and throat were the most common variants diagnosed, with diabetic patients aged 40 to 65 discovered to be at greatest risk. In the UK, 3.2 million people have diabetes, with cases of both this disease and mouth cancer on the rise.

Key symptoms of mouth cancer to look out for include ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, as well as red and white patches or unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth.

BDHF chief executive Dr Nigel Carter said: "This could be a very significant piece of research, and one that could help to save many lives."

The warning coincides with Mouth Cancer Action Month, which takes place throughout this month, as well as World Diabetes Day, which was held on November 14th.