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How to check for mouth-cancer as tell-tale signs are being missed

The number of people getting mouth cancer has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and regular dental checkups are vital for spotting early signs.

Last year 3,034 people in the UK lost their life to mouth cancer, and the number of people getting diagnosed has risen by 49% in the past 10 years - and 104% in the past 20, according to the Mouth Cancer Foundation. Some experts believe that one of the reasons for the increase in incidence, and deaths, is because of the difficulties in getting appointments - meaning the telltale signs are being missed.

According to the NHS, mouth cancer can affect any part of your mouth, including the gums, tongue and inside of the cheeks, or lips. But many people don't know what they are looking for, meaning symptoms are going undetected.

But you don't have to wait to see a dentist to find out if you're at risk. There are certain checks you can do, and Dr Michael Ho, a face, neck and mouth cancer consultant at the University of Leeds, has shared some of the tell-tale signs you shouldn't ignore.

One of the things you should look for are ulcers, or broken areas in the lining of the mouth, that don't heal within three weeks. While ulcers are common and don't mean you definitely have cancer, ones that are persistent should be checked by a GP or dentist, the NHS warns.

Dr Ho told The Mail Online: "The commonest sign of mouth cancer is a persistent ulcer that lasts more than three weeks." Another thing to look out for is unexplained swellings or lumps around the mouth or jaw. The NHS specifies that lumps inside your mouth, or on your lip, or in your neck and throat can be signs.

You should also look out for red or white patches, which may be tender or painful. While they could be caused by other things such as thrush, it's important to get them checked out.

Another sign is wobbly or loose teeth, according to Dr Ho. He said: "When [cancer] invades the jaw bone, it can result in wobbly teeth. In these situations, assessment by a dentist to assess the area of concern and a jaw X-ray can help provide more information."

Next, you should check for a sore throat or hoarseness, especially if it's lasted more than six weeks. According to Cancer Research UK, someone who has mouth cancer might experience their voice becoming huskier or more quiet.

Lastly, you should be wary of numbness around the mouth or tongue, which may be felt in patchy areas. This happens because the cancerous cells have caused nerve blood vessel damage.

It's important to remember that while it doesn't mean you definitely have cancer if you experience these symptoms, it's important to get them checked out. If you're worried, speak to your GP.

Story by Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz: Mirror