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Oral cancer cases in the UK have risen by more than a third in the past decade to reach a record high, according to a new report. The number of cases has more than doubled in the last generation, and previously common causes such as smoking and drinking are added to other lifestyle factors. According to the Oral Health Foundation, 8,864 people in the UK were diagnosed with the disease last year – a 36% increase on a decade ago, with 3,034 people dying from it within the year. This is a 40 percent increase in deaths over the past 10 years and a 20 percent increase over the past five. The findings form part of the Oral Health Foundation’s new Oral Cancer UK Report 202, released to coincide with Oral Cancer Action Month in November. In the early stages, oral cancer symptoms can be subtle and painless, making it easy to miss. It can be a mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, white or red spots in the mouth, unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, head or throat, or any persistent hoarseness in the voice. One in three oral cancers are found on the tongue and 23 percent are discovered in the tonsils. Other places to check for oral cancer include the lips, gums, inside of the cheeks, and the floor and roof of the mouth. Almost two out of three people have never checked their mouth for signs of oral cancer, despite the fact that it took less than a minute. Men are three times more likely to be regularly screened for testicular or breast cancer. Survival rates for oral cancer have improved little over the past 20 years, in part because so many cases are diagnosed too late. Just over half of all oral cancers are diagnosed at stage four – where the cancer is at its most advanced stage. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “While most cancers are declining, cases of oral cancer continue to rise at an alarming rate. “Traditional causes such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are rapidly being eclipsed by emerging risk factors such as human papillomavirus (HPV). “The stigma surrounding oral cancer has changed dramatically. It is now a cancer that really can affect anyone. “We have seen first hand the devastating impact oral cancer can have on a person’s life. It changes the way a person speaks, makes eating and drinking difficult, and often changes a person’s physical appearance. “During Oral Cancer Action Month, we will be raising awareness of oral cancer. “We urge everyone to become more aware of the mouth, being able to recognize the early warning signs of oral cancer and being aware of the common causes. “Most importantly, if you notice anything unusual, don’t delay and seek help from a doctor or dentist.” Charlotte Webster-Salter received the life-changing news that she had oral cancer when she was just 26. The former cabin crew member, now training as a midwife, doesn’t fit the typical oral cancer patient – she’s an active young woman who doesn’t smoke. But Ms Webster-Salter represents a growing number of younger people being diagnosed with the disease. Mrs Webster-Salter, who lives in Petersfield, Hampshire, said: “I had a few ulcers for about three to four years before I had [mouth cancer] mode. “I wasn’t worried about them at first because they really bother me. I was jet lagged and flying all the time with my job and often ulcers are signs of celiac disease, which I have, so I chalked it up to that. “They came and went but always in the same area, never completely gone but used to flare up if I got down. “They felt like ulcers, but just a bigger patch and they started to turn white, and they had red around them as well, so they looked quite inflamed. I thought maybe it was a bit of an infection or something.” As a precaution, Ms Webster-Salter went to the dentist and asked them. He said: “About a year before I had my operation, I went to the dentist and they said, ‘Well, I don’t really know what it is, it could be because your teeth are grinding, so we would advise you to straighten your teeth.’ get your wisdom teeth out.” “Well, I did. I paid for braces, got my wisdom teeth out and had really great teeth, but I still had the ulcers. “My mum kept telling me to go and get it checked so I went to my doctor who sent me for a biopsy.” She finally had her biopsy in April 2021 after the ulcers got significantly worse. The biopsy showed that the ulcers were oral cancer. He added: “I went in for the results and he asked, ‘Do you have anyone with you today?’ I looked at him and said, “Isn’t that good?” He replied, “No, it’s not. I’m really sorry, you have cancer.” “I remember saying to him, ‘What do you mean? Certainly not,” and I think I almost laughed. It was such a shock because I’m otherwise a healthy person.” Mrs Webster-Salter underwent a nine-and-a-half-hour operation to remove part of her tongue. The piece that was removed was replaced with muscle from her leg. They also took a lymph node from her neck to check if the cancer had spread, which it hadn’t. As a result of the swelling from the surgery, she was fitted with a tracheostomy, where a tube is inserted into the throat to help with breathing. Ms Webster-Salter said: “My tracheostomy was done for seven days so my body hadn’t swallowed or breathed through my mouth for so long that often your muscles take a while to get back to it . “I remember the first time they tried to pull it off. They covered that hole so I could then breathe out of here and it wouldn’t, it just couldn’t, I think my body wasn’t ready because it was like it was suffocating because I couldn’t breathe through my mouth. “It was like I had a mouth full of straw or hay. It was so hard, so crusty, so stuck. And I remember panicking, I was like no, I can’t, so they tried again the next day and then every day they got a little bit better and better.” After the operation, Ms Webster-Salter had to learn how to talk, eat and walk again through speech and physiotherapy, but no further treatment was required. Ms Webster-Salter added: “There is a stereotype about oral cancer. They told me “oh, you’re too young”, “God it won’t be like this”. But it really can happen to anyone, not just smokers. “People think you have to be like a really old man who smokes 50 a day, but you don’t. It took that tiny poster in the clinic for me to say, ‘Oh my God, this is mouth cancer’ and by then it was too late anyway.” The Oral Health Foundation’s aim is to improve people’s lives by reducing the harm caused by oral diseases – many of which are completely preventable. Oral Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout November. SWNS
