Today I went for my first ever Breast mammogram.  I am constantly amazed by how fortunate we are to have our National Health Service and for this breast screening to be free.  However, it turns out that many women do not turn up to the screening service, particularly the younger age group (the NHS is now offering screening services for a randomised group of women aged between  46 and 50).

This 6 minute test is undertaken by highly trained, caring and compassionate women, normally in a location where it’s easy to park. It’s so efficient I was in and out of the car-park within 30 minutes.  Breast cancer awareness is everywhere.  From Hollywood superstars, to business leaders, friends, Mums, daughters – the proliferation of pink cancer ribbons and fund-raising is huge. As is, unfortunately, the number of people we know and care about being affected by it.  Why take the risk and skip your Mammogram?  It’s 6 minutes of ‘uncomfortableness’, yet potentially  months and years of peace of mind.

So if people don’t turn up for mammograms for a cancer that is so widely known and prevalent, just consider the Herculean task of waking people up to the potential of mouth cancer.

In the UK, November is designated mouth cancer awareness month.

Mouth cancer is on the increase;  by 39% in the UK in the last decade and by 92% since the 1970’s.  In my small friendship circle alone,  I know 3 other women who’ve experienced it and one lovely, gentle man, who has died of it. More people die from mouth cancer than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined. Last week my dentist told me she’s just referred a 19 year old teenage boy showing all the signs of mouth cancer.

This is not a cancer to be taken lightly.  Its effects are more visible and potentially more debilitating than many others.  Removing oral cancer, if it’s caught in time, can leave long-lasting affects on the speech and swallow function, on the function of the jaw and voice box, on neck and shoulder movement and additionally – in my case at least – a significant psychological impact created by  extensive scarring  to the mouth, neck, arm and stomach and having to learn to speak differently.  In many cases, mouth cancer survivors have to cope with developing a new self-identity.

Many of the populace – if they happen to be aware about mouth cancer at all –  figure it’s not going to happen to them.  Particularly if they don’t smoke, drink only occasionally, eat a balanced, healthy diet, have never had the HPV virus, are female, are fit and healthy and are under 50.

I was one of those people.

These factors were the reason that my dentist discounted mouth cancer for 4 months – and she is a great dentist.  Today,  as I type, a 47-year-old, fit, healthy and gorgeous woman is undergoing a 10+ hour operation because  4 different dentists misdiagnosed her mouth ulcer as being caused by a wisdom tooth.

We need to take responsibility for our own mouths.  Pay attention to ulcers which have not healed within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth or any unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, head and neck area.  Anything unusual in your mouth, anything that changes and stays changed for more than 3 weeks – go and see your dentist.  Specifically tell them you want to discount mouth cancer.  Put that thought in their head before they examine you so it’s in their conscious brain.

Here is what to do to check your mouth – it will take you less than a minute.  Do this in good light and pay attention to any changes

This picture is my mouth cancer, the day before my operation. It doesn’t look serious does it?  But it was already a stage 2/3 cancer (I didn’t know this at the time) as it had spread into a lymph node.

As part of my monthly check up I discuss this lack of awareness with my Maxillofacial consultant surgeon.  He does all he can to raise awareness and catch people early.  He doesn’t want to sit in his consulting room, face a frightened patient and say “you’ve got cancer”.  He’d like to watch his young son play his football matches and read him bedtime stories, instead of standing in an operating room for over 12 hours conducting microscopic, intricate surgery to remove cancers that could have been treated differently if caught earlier.  His dedication is inspiring, admirable and his frustration palpable. I always know  when he pushes back his chair and runs his fingers over his head,  he’s stressed.  I’ve seen him do this enough times in the past year to know this pattern.

So many people have asked me, what causes mouth cancer.  The official line is smoking increases your chances as does heavy drinking.  If you’re overweight, eat rubbish, don’t exercise, have the HPV virus, are over 50 and male, you’re much more likely to be in the target zone.

But given none of this applies to me, I’m left with seeking different answers.  So here is my theory, based on my extensive reading and research over the last year.  In addition to the list above, pay attention if you are:

• Stressed, and have been stressed for a long period of time;
• Heading towards burnout (including feeling irritable, unpredictable, isolated, frustrated, confrontational, irrational, incoherent, always tired, eating or drinking more);
• Hold, or have held, a mobile phone to your face and ear for over 20 minutes for long periods of time;
• Grow up in a household with parents who are heavy smokers;
• Spend, or spent time in, smoky atmospheres even though you have never smoked yourself.

Make a date with your mouth each week. Consider this to be an essential part of your personal insurance policy for the years ahead. 

May  you, and your loved ones, live long, happy, healthy, productive, cancer-free lives.

And may Mike get to spend more time with Henry.