Mouth cancer cases in England and Scotland have surged to unprecedented levels, with over 10,000 new cases reported last year. Alarmingly, this represents a 38% increase over the past decade and a staggering 133% rise compared with 20 years ago. More than 3,500 lives were lost to this disease in the UK last year. The rise in mouth cancer cases is a serious concern that demands more attention than before. It’s clear that we need to better educate the public on the risks and symptoms to help prevent further harm.

The Role of Lifestyle Choices

The rise in mouth cancer cases cannot be explained by population growth alone. Age-standardised incidence rates reveal that the increase has significantly outpaced changes in population size, making the trend a genuine cause for concern.

Lifestyle choices, particularly those linked with well-known risk factors, are the primary drivers behind this surge. Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco, remains the leading cause, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all mouth cancer cases. Excessive alcohol consumption is another major contributor, linked to around one-third of cases. When combined, the effects of heavy drinking and smoking increase the risk of developing mouth cancer by a staggering 30 times.

While smoking and drinking remain major causes, we can’t ignore the growing impact of The Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV has been identified as a growing risk factor, especially for oropharyngeal cancers—those affecting the throat. Oral HPV is mainly spread through certain behaviours, highlighting the need for informed decisions and preventative measures to reduce these risks. As Dr Nigel Carter notes in Oral Health Foundation, “While most cancers are on the decrease, cases of mouth cancer continue to rise at an alarming rate. Traditional causes like smoking and drinking alcohol to excess are quickly being caught by emerging risk factors like the human papillomavirus (HPV)”.

Detecting Mouth Cancer Early

The key to successful treatment lies in early detection. Symptoms of mouth cancer include persistent mouth ulcers lasting more than three weeks, unexplained lumps in the mouth or neck area, difficulty swallowing, persistent hoarseness, and white or red patches in the mouth or throat.

Despite its importance, public awareness of mouth cancer remains low. While 80% of UK adults know it is possible to get cancer in or around the mouth, only 20% are familiar with the symptoms to watch for. Regular dental check-ups and self-examinations can play a crucial role in catching the disease early, when treatment is most effective.

Advances in Treatment

Treatment options for mouth cancer have seen significant advancements in recent years. Early-stage cancers are often managed through surgery, which can be followed by radiotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. For more advanced cases, a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may eliminate the need for surgery altogether.

Emerging therapies, such as immunotherapy drugs and targeted treatments, offer additional hope. These treatments enhance the body’s immune response to cancer cells or target specific molecular pathways involved in the disease, improving survival rates and quality of life. Nevertheless, early diagnosis continues to be the most critical factor in achieving positive treatment outcomes.

Prevention and Awareness

The unprecedented rise in mouth cancer cases in England and Scotland highlights the urgent need for prevention and education. Addressing the root causes—namely, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption—is essential to reducing the incidence of this disease. Public campaigns should focus on raising awareness of these risk factors while promoting healthier lifestyle choices that protect overall health.

Improving access to NHS dentistry and reducing late diagnosis are also vital steps in combating mouth cancer. Healthcare professionals, including dentists and GPs, have a crucial role to play in identifying early warning signs, educating patients about risks, and encouraging regular check-ups.

Raising awareness and encouraging healthier choices is vital. Through greater awareness, preventative measures, and early intervention, we can make significant strides towards reducing the burden of mouth cancer. By addressing the underlying causes and prioritising education, we can ensure a healthier future for all, free from the devastating impacts of this increasingly prevalent disease.

Source: The Conversation