Researchers at Cancer Research UK have developed a toolkit to help dentists detect oral cancer.
The toolkit features images of signs and symptoms of oral cancer, and it outlines how dentists and general practitioners should refer patients for further tests.
Oral cancer is now the 10th most common cancer in U.K. men, according to new data by the organization. About 7,300 people were diagnosed with oral cancer in the U.K. in 2012; twice as many men than women diagnosed with the disease. About 70% of oral and pharyngeal cancers in males in the U.K. are linked to tobacco. If spotted early oral cancer survival rates can reach 90%.
More than 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer annually, causing about 8,000 deaths, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
"The combination of tobacco, drinking alcohol, and HPV provides a toxic cocktail that has led to this rising tide of cancers, so it's vital that people are aware of how to reduce their risk," stated Richard Roope, MBBS, MRCGP, Cancer Research UK's lead general practitioner.
The toolkit can be accessed on the Cancer Research UK website.
