High risk of oral cancer? Ask a Bristol dentist
One in three of us will develop cancer at some point in out lives so it is important that we are all aware of the signs and symptoms to enable early treatment. When it comes to cancer, the best hope you really have of overcoming the disease is catching it as early as possible. This is especially true of oral cancer, which has an eighty per cent survival rate when caught and treated in its early stages. If the disease is not detected early enough it may well be fatal. Oral cancer includes any cancer of the lips, tongue, cheek lining and throat. It manifests itself as small red, white or blotchy patches, which are sore but don’t disappear naturally after a couple of weeks. There are a number of other symptoms, which include unexplained bleeding in the mouth, pain in the neck, face and shoulders and a sudden weight loss. One of the best ways to beat oral cancer is to have your mouth regularly examined by a Bristol dentist. Dental check up appointments are advised every six months as routine but if you are in one of the high risk groups it may be advisable to pay more regular visits. The high risk factors include being male and over fifty, with smokers and drinkers (especially both in tandem) being very susceptible. If you think you are at a high risk of oral cancer or are experiencing any unusual activity in your mouth then make an appointment to see a Bristol dentist as soon as possible. It might just be the best decision you ever make.Tags: dental checkups, oral cancer
