Oral cancer rates in Yorkshire are among the worst in England
November is Mouth Cancer Awareness Month and, if you follow us on social media (as of course you should), you’ll know all about the signs and symptoms to look out for. What you may not realise, however, is why it’s so important to be aware of the risks of mouth cancer, especially for those of us living in the north of England.
According to Public Health England statistics, the regions with the worst oral cancer rates are in the north, including Yorkshire and the Humber, which came in third worst. Between 2013 and 2015, we had an average of 15.3 cases per 100k people, as compared to the national average of 14.5. What’s even more alarming, though, is that the rate is only getting worse, as statistics show a steady increase since 2007, when the region only registered 12 per 100k.
Some of this could be down to better detection leading to a higher incidence of diagnosis. However, we feel that better awareness should be beating this number down significantly and that just hasn’t happened yet. That’s where you come in.
We’re calling on all of our patients, whether you’re in a high-risk group or not, to read about mouth cancer and talk about it – with your dental health professional, family and friends. The more we make this conversation mainstream, the better our chances of improving our region’s oral health. Are you in?
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share our posts with your friends and followers, being sure to use the hashtag #mouthcanceraction. Find out more on the official campaign website and call us on 01482 565 488 today or book online to get checked out. Better safe than sorry!
