Research summary: Awareness of mouth cancer

Mouth cancer is one of the most distressing forms of cancer because of its disfiguring effects and high mortality rate. The large majority of people are, in some sense, aware that they can get cancer of the mouth and that smoking is a risk factor. Far fewer people are aware of the role of alcohol in cancer of the mouth or what to look out for in terms of early signs. Those at greatest risk are generally the least likely to be aware of risk factors and early signs. Mass media campaigns and healthcare practitioners have an important role to play in educating those at high risk about how to reduce their risk and what to look out for in terms of early signs. Mouth cancer is one of the most distressing forms of cancer because of its disfiguring effects and high mortality rate. The large majority of people are, in some sense, aware that they can get cancer of the mouth and that smoking is a risk factor. Far fewer people are aware of the role of alcohol in cancer of the mouth or what to look out for in terms of early signs. Those at greatest risk are generally the least likely to be aware of risk factors and early signs. Mass media campaigns and healthcare practitioners have an important role to play in educating those at high risk about how to reduce their risk and what to look out for in terms of early signs.