Free mouth cancer examinations will be available to members of the public at over 700 participating dental surgeries countrywide and at the Cork and Dublin Dental University Hospitals on Mouth Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday 21st September 2011.

Three hundred cases of mouth cancer are detected in Ireland each year and this type of cancer now kills more Irish people than cervical cancer or skin melanoma.

According to the National Cancer Register in Ireland, roughly 50% of all mouth cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. This can result in more complex treatment with a greater impact on quality of life and overall survival.

Mouth Cancer Awareness Day was initiated by a group of mouth, head and neck cancer survivors last September. On that occasion, over 3,000 people queued outside the Cork and Dublin Dental University Hospitals for a free mouth cancer examination. Six cases of cancer were detected on the day.

This year the Irish Dental Association has thrown its full support behind the initiative and over 700 dentists nationwide will be offering a free mouth cancer examination to members of the public.

Speaking in Dublin at the launch of Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2011, Professor Leo Stassen, said patients are dying because of a failure to diagnose the disease in its early stages.

"Overall less than 50% of patients diagnosed with mouth cancer survive more than five years. There are over 300 incidences of this disease every year with 100 or more deaths. That means two Irish people are dying every week from this lethal disease. More worryingly the incidence of it is increasing in younger people and it is unclear why this is happening" he said.

Professor Stassen, who is Professor and Consultant, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dublin Dental School and Hospital and St James's Hospital accused the HSE of ignoring mouth cancer.

"This is a major public health issue. Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer for men in Ireland and the incidence of the disease among women is increasing. Where previously the male female incidence ratio was 6 to 1 it is now less than 3 to 1. However it is still not given enough attention or resources by the HSE" he said.

The President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Conor McAlister, said that because over 700 dentists nationwide are participating in this year's initiative, many more people will be examined and it will be much easier for people to access a free examination.

"We encourage everyone to attend their local participating dentist on the day, Wednesday 21st September for their free mouth cancer examination. It's painless and takes less than 5 minutes. The biggest problem with mouth cancer is late diagnosis. On the other hand, if it can be detected early, it greatly improves the chances of a good outcome" Dr McAlister said.

The main risk factors of Mouth Cancer are:

• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes or marijuana
• Chewing smokeless tobacco, betel quid or paan
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Using both tobacco and alcohol together - this greatly increases your risk
• Excessive exposure to sunlight or radiation
• A diet lacking in fruit and vegetables
• Exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which can be sexually transmitted

Dr McAlister stressed that people needed to become more aware of these risk factors and to make the necessary lifestyle changes if required.

"Mouth Cancer Awareness Day plays a vital role in heightening awareness of the disease and we are delighted to support it. Avoiding the risk factors and early detection are key to combating this disease" Dr McAlister concluded.

Lia Mills, author and mouth cancer survivor, welcomed the support of so many dentists this year and urged as many people as possible to have an examination. "This is a great opportunity for people. It's a five minute examination that could save your life" she said.

Members of the public can find a list of participating dentists in their area by logging on to www.mouthcancerawareness.ie . They can then phone the surgery to find out the exact times examinations are available. Irregular dental attenders are especially welcome on the day.

Mouth Cancer Awareness Day is a joint initiative by the Irish Dental Association, Irish Cancer Society, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Cork Dental University Hospital, the Dental Health Foundation and Mouth, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland.

Anyone who has concerns about mouth cancer can with speak with a specialist nurse in confidence by calling the National Cancer Helpline on Freephone 1800 200 700.

www.mouthcancerawareness.ie