Medical experts are encouraging people to look out for four early warning signs that they may have head and neck cancer, as it is highly treatable if caught early enough.
In most cases, if it is caught early on, it can be treated by a simple surgery, the Mirror reports.
According to the Oral Health Foundation, it is vital to check regularly for the warning signs that may "save your life".
What are the warning signs?
Be sure to keep an eye out for:
- Ulcers that take longer than three weeks to heal
- Unusual red or white patches
- Lumps around your neck and jaw
- Persistent hoarseness of the throat
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should contact a medical professional. Mouth cancer can be detected by a dentist as well as a doctor.
On top of checking for warning signs, you should do what you can to reduce the risk of mouth cancer.
The best way to do that is to giving up smoking, maintain good oral hygiene, and eat a healthy and balanced diet according to NHS advice.
almost 8,000 Brits contract mouth cancer every year, according to the Mouth Cancer Foundation and many often miss the early warning signs - so it's important to be vigilant and check regularly as it could save your life.
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