WEST BROMWICH, England, November 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr Hani Namih and his team at Stella Maris Dental, Stone Cross, West Bromwich, are offering mouth cancer screening examinations during the month of November as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Mouth cancer (also called oral cancer) is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth including the lips and tongue. In the UK, the numbers of new cases have risen by over 41 per cent over the past ten years(1). About 5,325 people get cancer of the mouth each year and the disease kills one person every five hours. Treated in its early stages, mouth cancer is curable but if not detected early, it kills around one in two sufferers.

Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, whether they have their own teeth or not. Smoking, or chewing tobacco (or betel quid/paan/gutkha), greatly increases your chances of getting mouth cancer. Heavy drinking is also a risk. If you do both, your chances of getting mouth cancer are much greater.

Mouth cancers often appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does not heal normally or, less often, as a red or white patch in the mouth. Dental Authorities seek to encourage people to understand their level of risk for the disease and to advise dentists to be vigilant in their examination procedures. A dentist is trained and in the best position to examine for early signs of this disease.

The routine dental examination procedure is quick, simple, completely painless and requires no injection. The dentist carefully examines the inside of the mouth with the help of a small mirror. Remember, the dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily yourself.

The dental practice now offers patients an extended test using a new mouth cancer screening system which can identify abnormal areas of the mouth, identifying areas of potential risk even before they become cancer. The latest system is called ViziLite Plus, which is used extensively in the USA as an aid to early detection and has been widely introduced into the UK.

If you drink heavily, smoke or use tobacco in any form, you may be at high risk. You are advised to contact your dentist, doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns. Stella Maris Dental can be contacted on +44(0)800-975-0573.

If in doubt - get checked out.

For more information visit http://www.mouthcancer.org

ViziLite Plus is a registered trademark of Zila Inc, USA http://www.zila.com

Reference

1. Cancer Research UK (2009) UK oral cancer mortality statistics.

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SOURCE: Scope Dental Professional Relations

CONTACT: For further press information contact Richard Horner, ScopeDental Professional Relations, The Hall, 4 New Street, Salisbury, Wilts SP12PH, Tel: +44(0)1722-432622, Fax: +44(0)1722-432623, Email:admin@thescopegroup.com