Jay Aston, star of Bucks Fizz, has issued a warning about mouth cancer symptoms that require more attention, following her own shocking experience.
Mouth cancer is an increasing concern in the UK, with over 8,700 new cases diagnosed each year and one person succumbing to it every three hours.
A recent analysis reveals that mouth cancer cases have surged by 133 per cent in the past two decades, with smoking, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV) being the main culprits.
Despite this, Bupa Dental Care and the Mouth Cancer Foundation report that public awareness remains low, leading to delayed diagnoses and higher death rates.
Almost nine out of ten (88 per cent) UK adults are aware of mouth cancer, but knowledge about the signs, symptoms and risk factors is lacking.
Since her own battle with cancer, Jay has emphasised the importance of monitoring changes in your mouth that could easily be missed, such as ulcers or even a small pimple.
The 63-year-old’s journey began when a dental nurse pointed out a suspicious white mark in her mouth, which was later identified as lichen planus.
Lichen planus is a rash that can affect various parts of your body, including inside your mouth.
While it is generally harmless, if certain areas of the mouth are affected, this can slightly increase the risk of oral cancer.
After experiencing increased pain and visible changes, Jay was diagnosed with mouth cancer in January 2018. By July of the same year, she underwent a severe surgical procedure that removed 40 per cent of her tongue.
In an incredible result of medical expertise, surgeons reconstructed a new tongue for Jay using tissue from her thigh, a process that resulted in her depending on a zimmer frame temporarily.
Now, with significant improvements in her health, the singer is determined to raise public awareness about oral health.
“There is a lack of awareness across the board,” Jay explained to Reach PLC. She described initially spotting a subtle mark: “I had like a white cobweb, it was tiny on my left side under my tongue.”
Jay is keen to advise others to be vigilant: “Be careful and be aware, and when you have your usual check-up, always tell your dentist if you’re not happy about something.”
She further urged prompt action when noticing changes in the mouth, adding: “But, if something changes in your mouth, phone your dentist. We all get ulcers and stuff, usually if we’re run down or tired, and it should heal.
“They said if you’ve got an ulcer and it doesn’t go in a couple of weeks, you should go and get it checked out. An ulcer can become cancerous,” Jay warned.
“You can think a little pimple on your tongue or a little pimple anywhere, it feels like it’s one per cent of you, but [it could be] something else.”
The Bucks Fizz singer also highlighted that even dental work might lead to critical changes: “If you’ve had dentistry work done, and your teeth are slightly out of line, you might not be aware, but that can cause changes in your mouth, which might mean it’s hitting a point of your gum, or whatever.
“Things like that after new fillings and stuff can cause irritation or swelling, so just to be aware.
“At any age, you should be are that your mouth is changing and you should keep an eye on it.”