Dr Anuj Desai, a dentist from Woodford Green, has pledged to raise awareness of mouth cancer and to support people in noticing signs that can sometimes be overlooked. Dr Desai is now offering free consultations for anyone, whether they are concerned or not, to get checked out for any signs or symptoms.
The free check-ups are part of a larger national event for Mouth Cancer Action Month, which continues throughout the month of November. Dr Desai, who has also worked with Macmillian Cancer Support in the past, spoke to the Guardian about the importance of the current initiative. “Mouth cancer is one of the most important reasons to get a dental check. If you catch symptoms early it’s easily treated, but it’s when signs go ignored for a few months that things get serious.”
Oral Health Foundation statistics show that in the last ten years, mouth cancer diagnosis has increased by a third, and sadly claimed the lives of around two thousand people last year alone. Symptoms to look out for include, mouth ulcers that are present for several weeks, lumps in the mouth, loose teeth, numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue and patches of white or red tissue in the mouth. The NHS advises that if anyone is concerned to make an appointment with a dentist or GP as soon as possible.