Free dentist trips see 21 diagnosed with cancer

It’s the free trip to the dentist that could just save your life.

Irish dentists, who have seen some 18,000 people as part of a free mouth cancer screening initiative, have diagnosed 21 people with various forms of mouth, neck or head cancer over the last three years.

And they have encouraged people to avail of this year’s free screening programme which takes place across the country tomorrow following a steady increase in the incidence rate of cancer of the mouth in women — up 3% every year since 1994.

While the disease mainly affects older people, the number of younger people being diagnosed with the disease has also increased steadily in recent years.

In Cork, the Cork University Dental School and Hospital will host free examinations from 9am to 4pm.

The school’s Dr Eleanor O’Sullivan, chair of the Mouth, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland campaign, encouraged everyone to attend.

“We are organising the awareness day as mouth, head and neck cancer is on the increase in this country and yet it remains a relatively unknown disease,” she said.

“It can affect the lips, gums, cheek, tongue, palate, tonsils, throat, salivary glands, sinuses, nose and larynx.

“Symptoms include ulcers that won’t heal, white, red or speckled patches, neck lumps or swellings and difficulty swallowing.

“Many well-known people have suffered from this disease.

“Actor Michael Douglas had it and John Thaw who played Inspector Morse died of it. Ronnie Drew and Alex Higgins also died of the disease.”

Screening appointments must be made by calling 021- 490 1169 between 10am and 2pm today.

But you can also avail of a free mouth cancer examination from any participating general dental practitioner –— a full list of participating dentists is available on www.mouthcancerawareness.ie.

There are more than 300 cases of cancer of the mouth (oral cavity and pharynx) reported in Ireland every year. In Britain, the incidence of mouth cancer has grown faster than any other cancer in the past 25 years.

While survival rates are excellent when diagnosed at an early stage, many people present late.

According to the National Cancer Registry in Ireland, roughly half of all mouth cancers and even less of cancers of the pharynx are diagnosed at an early stage.

This can result in more complex treatment with greater impact on quality of life and overall survival.