Experts have revealed the first symptoms of mouth cancer people should be on the lookout for and one of them can be spotted while you’re eating.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), 11.5 adults per 100,000 develop mouth cancer, or about 650,000 people worldwide each year.
The NHS warns that symptoms of mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth, including the gums, tongue, inside the cheeks or lips.
Experts have told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly the key symptoms to look out and what to do if you think you may be affected.
Dentists stressed to the magazine that early detection is “key” and that symptoms to look out for at home include a “swelling or sore on your lip, or in your mouth – especially under dentures”.
They also stressed that “problems or pain when chewing or swallowing” could also be an early symptom of mouth cancer, as well as a red or white patch in your mouth.
The NHS has told patients to see a GP if they have a mouth ulcer that has lasted more than three weeks, they have a lump in their throat, on their lip, on their neck or in their throat.
Pain in your mouth that’s not going away, difficulty speaking and a hoarse (croaky) voice that does not go away are also symptoms of mouth cancer.
Dr Smita Mehra, principal dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice, told The Express that as cancerous tumours grow, they can invade and damage surrounding tissues.
She said: “This can cause blood vessels to become fragile and rupture easily, leading to bleeding. Mouth cancer can often cause chronic inflammation, which can make the tissues more prone to bleeding.
“When combined with other symptoms such as persistent sores, lumps, pain, or difficulty swallowing, it can be an indication of oral cancer.”
The NHS said that the risk of mouth cancer increases with age and most people are diagnosed between the ages of 66 and 70.