West Bromwich - Mouth Cancer Screening at Local Dental Practice

WEST BROMWICH, England, November 13 - Dr Hani Namih and his team at Stella Maris Dental, Stone
Cross, West Bromwich, are offering mouth cancer screening examinations during
the month of November as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Mouth cancer (also called oral cancer) is a malignant growth
which can occur in any part of the mouth including the lips and tongue. In
the UK, the numbers of new cases have risen by over 41 per cent over the past
ten years(1). About 5,325 people get cancer of the mouth each year and the
disease kills one person every five hours. Treated in its early stages, mouth
cancer is curable but if not detected early, it kills around one in two
sufferers.

Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, whether they have
their own teeth or not. Smoking, or chewing tobacco (or betel
quid/paan/gutkha), greatly increases your chances of getting mouth cancer.
Heavy drinking is also a risk. If you do both, your chances of getting mouth
cancer are much greater.

Mouth cancers often appear as a painless mouth ulcer that does
not heal normally or, less often, as a red or white patch in the mouth.
Dental Authorities seek to encourage people to understand their level of risk
for the disease and to advise dentists to be vigilant in their examination
procedures. A dentist is trained and in the best position to examine for
early signs of this disease.

The routine dental examination procedure is quick, simple,
completely painless and requires no injection. The dentist carefully examines
the inside of the mouth with the help of a small mirror. Remember, the
dentist is able to see parts of your mouth that you cannot see easily
yourself.

The dental practice now offers patients an extended test using
a new mouth cancer screening system which can identify abnormal areas of the
mouth, identifying areas of potential risk even before they become cancer.
The latest system is called ViziLite Plus, which is used extensively in the
USA as an aid to early detection and has been widely introduced into the UK.

If you drink heavily, smoke or use tobacco in any form, you
may be at high risk. You are advised to contact your dentist, doctor or
pharmacist if you have any concerns. Stella Maris Dental can be contacted on
+44(0)800-975-0573.

If in doubt - get checked out.

For more information visit www.mouthcancer.org

ViziLite Plus is a registered trademark of Zila Inc, USA
www.zila.com

Reference

1. Cancer Research UK (2009) UK oral cancer mortality statistics.

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For further press information contact Richard Horner, Scope Dental Professional Relations, The Hall, 4 New Street, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 2PH, Tel: +44(0)1722-432622, Fax: +44(0)1722-432623, Email: admin at thescopegroup.com