Oral cancer cases rise in south-west

Posted by Joanne Mellor

New research has found the number of oral cancer cases in the south-west of England is rising.

Figures released by the South West Public Health Observatory (SWPHO) showed there were 444 incidences in the region in 2000, but this increased to 671 in 2010.

A spokesperson for the SWPHO explained an ageing population could be one of the reasons for the rise in oral cancer across the region, which covers the Isles of Scilly to Dorset and Gloucestershire, reports BBC News.

They said: “The risk factors for oral cancer are alcohol, smoking and in some ethnic groups, chewing betel.”

It was also noted dental health professionals are more aware of the disease and are now more likely to spot it when carrying out regular checks.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is calling for the message regarding the danger of using smokeless tobacco to be spread more widely, as this is one of the key factors involved in the development of mouth cancer.