ORAL, HEAD AND NECK CANCER WARNINGS FOR FAR NORTHERN PEOPLE:
ORAL, head and neck cancers have increased by 30 per cent from 2004 to 2014 and health professionals are worried.
The cancers affect the mouth, lips, throat, voice box, nose, sinuses and salivary glands.
Queensland chief dental officer Dr Mark Brown said the increase was concerning.
“More than half of head and neck cancers are cancers of the mouth or lips, which is why it’s really important to watch your mouth for any changes or abnormalities,” he said.
“Oral health is about your whole mouth – not just teeth – so check the inside of your cheeks and lips, front and sides of the tongue, roof of the mouth, back of the throat and under the tongue.”
Dr Brown said most cases of oral, head and neck cancer had four common causes.
“Common risks for cancers of the mouth or lips include smoking, drinking alcohol excessively, poor oral hygiene and sun exposure for the lips,” he said.
“Early changes can be difficult to detect on your own, which is why we recommend regular check-ups with a den- tist, who will screen for early symptoms of oral cancers.”
Cancer Council Queensland chief executive Chris McMillan said there were simple changes that people could make to reduce their risk of developing oral, head and neck cancers.
“Around 59 per cent of mouth cancers are attributed to smoking and 31 per cent to excessive alcohol consumption,” she said.
“The majority of mouth cancers are preventable through healthy lifestyle changes and it’s imperative that people are taking active steps to reduce their risk.
“Any amount of alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing alcohol-related cancers, including oral cancers and the risk increases in line with the amount of consumption.
“Limiting alcohol intake and quitting smoking is vital to reducing the risk of developing mouth cancers later in life.”
AROUND 59 PER CENT OF MOUTH CANCERS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO SMOKING AND 31 PER CENT TO EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION CHRIS MCMILLAN, CANCER COUNCIL QUEENSLAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE