With today being Mouth Cancer Awareness Day, people across Ireland are being called upon to avail of free mouth cancer examinations in more than 500 dental surgeries across the country today.
With more than 100 people – that’s two per week – dying from the disease each year, dentists are urging everyone to get themselves checked out today.
More than 300 cases of mouth cancer are detected each year in Ireland and a campaign has been running for the last five years in order to create more awareness for the illness.
In the previous four Mouth Cancer Awareness days, 22 cases of mouth cancer were diagnosed through the free examination clinics.
“I would urge members of the public, especially those who may not have visited a dentist in a while to avail of an oral examination,” said Dr. Gillian Smith of the Irish Dental Association. “It’s free and only takes five minutes.”
It was also noted that if you smoke and drink, the chances of getting mouth cancer are up to 40 times greater.
As with many forms of cancer, early diagnosis of mouth cancer is key for enhancing the success of treatment.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include, a sore or ulcer that does not heal in three weeks, a lump in the mouth or neck and persistent sore throat or hoarseness.
