Action on Smoking and Health /British Dental Association press release
7 November 2001
Dentists join the fight against cancer
Visiting a dentist might not be high on most people's list of things they liketo do, but a new health awareness campaign shows that it might just save yourlife. November 11 marks the beginning of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week, a projectsupported by the British Dental Association (BDA) and ASH, which hopes tohighlight the dangers of this debilitating and potentially deadly disease.
Someone dies from mouth cancer every five hours in the UK and for thosediagnosed with the disease the outlook is bleak, with fewer than 50 per cent ofthose surviving five years. Those most at risk are smokers and drinkers over40, but mouth cancer also hits ethnic communities hard, especially those fromthe Indian sub-continent who use chewing tobacco or betel nut.
The BDA's Gordon Watkins is concerned that, while public knowledge of thedisease may have been heightened following the death of journalist and authorJohn Diamond, still too few realise that a simple dental check-up could lead toearly diagnosis and better chances of recovery.
"It is often the simplest things which are the most effective, and formouth cancer it's the dental check-up. Your dentist isn't just checking fordecay or gum disease - they have the potential to save your life. The BritishDental Association is encouraging its members to educate
their patients. After all, most people know that smoking is bad for their lungsand their heart, and that heavy drinking is tough on the liver - but do theyknow the damage they could be causing their mouths?"
That is why the BDA have joined forces with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)to produce a leaflet on smoking for distribution through dental practicesacross the country. Save your mouth ... and your life - stop smoking! explainsto patients the harm that smoking does to oral health,
advises them the best ways to quit and tells them where to obtain furtheradvice and information.
Amanda Sandford of ASH said:
"Tobacco is the dominant cause of mouth cancer but the good news is thatstopping smoking dramatically reduces the risk of this disfiguring andpotentially fatal disease. Dentists are well placed to offer patientsadvice on quitting smoking. Our new leaflet can help them to persuade
patients of the health benefits of stopping smoking and ultimately help to savelives."
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. Mouth Cancer Awareness Week runs from 11-18 November and is supported by anumber of dental and other health organisations, including the British DentalAssociation, British Dental Health Foundation, ASH and the Cancer ResearchCampaign.
2. The symbol for Mouth Cancer Awareness Week is a blue ribbon.
3. Mouth cancer includes cancers of the throat and neck.
4. Further information on the links between smoking and mouth
cancer can be found on the ASH website,
5. For further information, please contact the BDA Press Office on 020 75634580 or BDA website:
Contact: Amanda Sandford, ASH - tel. 020 7739 5902 or
Jo Tanner BDA Press & Parliamentary Officer, Direct line: 020 7563 4146
Fax: 020 7563 4581
