DT News - UK - Oral cancer thrives based on lifestyle choices

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 29 November 2016

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LONDON, UK: Lifestyle habits like smoking, drinking alcohol or an unbalanced diet, in addition to human papillomavirus infections, appear to have resulted in a surge of oral cancer in the UK. According to new data released by Cancer Research UK on the occasion of Mouth Cancer Action Month, the incidence of the disease has increased significantly throughout the population over the last 20 years. Cases have almost doubled since the late 1990s, from eight to 13 cases per 100,000 people.

The highest increase was observed in women, among whom the incidence of oral cancer has soared through all age groups in the last two decades by a staggering 71 per cent. In comparison, the incidence rate of breast cancer, the most common cancer in British women, increased by 10–20 per cent in the same period. Oral cancer is almost seven times as high in women over 50, in whom the organisation reported 2,200 cases in 2015, compared with 300 cases in women under 50.

A similar situation was found among men. Oral cancer rates climbed by 54 per cent to 4,400 reported cases in men under 50 and by 67 per cent to 640 reported cases in men over 50.

Men currently account for two-thirds of all reported oral cancer cases in the UK.

“It’s worrying that oral cancer has become more common,” said Jessica Kirby, Cancer Research UK’s Senior Health Information Manager. “Healthy lifestyles can help reduce the risk of developing the disease in the first place. Not smoking, drinking less alcohol and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can all help to cut our risk of mouth cancer.”

In view of the figures, Cancer Research UK has now called on local councillors and the public to help protect vital Stop Smoking Services, which are under threat owing to budget cuts. It has also developed an oral cancer toolkit in cooperation with the British Dental Association (BDA) to help general medical practitioners, dentists, nurses and hygienists spot early signs of the disease and refer suspected cases sooner.

According to research, survival rates can be improved significantly if the disease is identified early.

“Early detection is key, and a check-up can mean the difference between a 90% and 50% survival rate,” commented Dr Russ Ladwa, Chair of the Health and Science Committee at the BDA.

Smoking has been identified as the greatest avoidable risk factor for oral cancer, linked to an estimated 65 per cent of cases, in addition to drinking alcohol and following a diet low in fruit and vegetables. A recent study conducted by University of Derby researchers also confirmed a link between these lifestyle choices and a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer from human papillomavirus infections.

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