Cancer Research calls for regular dental checks (From This is The West Country)

Cancer Research calls for regular dental checks

9:00am Wednesday 12th August 2009 in News By Steve Sowden

DENTISTS in Yeovil are advising patients that regular dental checks remain the best way for the early detection of serious health problems such as mouth cancer.

The recommendation comes on the heels of a new report from Cancer Research UK which claims that alcohol is largely to blame for a worrying rise in the rate of oral cancers among men and women in their 40s.

In the UK numbers of cancers of the lip, mouth, tongue and throat in this age group have risen by 26% in the past decade.

Martin Fulford, NHS Somerset’s dental advisor, said: “Mouth cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed early.

"Tobacco remains the main risk factor for oral cancer but for people in their 40s, there are also other factors contributing to this jump in oral cancer rates.

"This latest report suggests alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and this might be contributing to the upward trend in mouth cancers we are seeing throughout the UK.

"People in Somerset have good access to NHS dental care. However, early detection of mouth cancer is essential if see are to see a reduction in the 1,800 deaths across the UK which occur each year."

There are currently over 25 NHS dental practices taking on new patients in Somerset.

Anyone in Somerset who wants to register with an NHS dentist, or who is not registered and is in need of urgent dental treatment, should telephone the Somerset NHS Dental Helpline on 0845 769 7691.