Key Facts about Mouth Cancer

Key Facts about Mouth Cancer

• Latest figures show that in 2011, there were 6,767 people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK
• That’s 18 people every day – one person diagnosed every 77 minutes
• Mouth cancer cases have increased by a third in the last decade…
• …and it is one of few cancers that experts predict will continue to increase in the coming years
• Mouth cancer is ranked the 16^th most common cancer in the UK
• The lifetime risk of developing mouth cancer is 1 in 84 for men and 1 in 160 for women
• Cancer of the tongue and oral cavity are the most common forms of mouth cancer, followed then by the throat.  Lip, neck and other mouth cancers make up the rest of cases

Who Does it Effect?

• Mouth cancer is twice as common in men than women
• 86% of cases are diagnosed in those over 50
• Mouth cancer rates per population are significantly higher in Scotland compared with England, Northern Ireland and Wales
• Rates are much higher in white males, however those in Asian males are similar
• More than 90% of mouth cancers in men and 85% in women are linked to lifestyle and environmental factors

Our dentists carry out a Mouth Cancer Check at every Dental Health Assessment and look for any changes in your mouth every time we see you.