Many people would leave a non-healing mouth ulcer longer than recommended, potentially leaving a mouth cancer symptom going undetected. According to a new survey, only 49 percent would seek medical advice within less than four weeks if they had a mouth ulcer. 37 percent would seek medical advice within 1-2 months, and of even greater concern one in 7 percent would leave it longer than three months. The results make for worrying reading for the British Dental Health Foundation. Mouth Cancer Action Month, taking place throughout November, supported by Denplan and healthcare provider Simplyhealth, aims to educate you on the risk factors, early warning signs and symptoms of the disease. Dr Nigel Carter of the British Dental Health Foundation says, “Early detection is absolutely crucial in transforming survival rates, and those leaving a mouth ulcer longer than three weeks are potentially risking a late diagnosis, something that reduces five year survival rates to as low as 50 percent. With the benefit of early diagnosis, survival rates can increase to up to 90 percent.
