In the UK around 4,750 new cases of mouth cancer are diagnosed annually.
The number of new mouth cancer cases increased by more than 30% percent in the last 10 years.
25% cases of mouth cancer are found on the tongue and a further 33% are found in the rest of the oral cavity.
Who is most at risk?
Tobacco use and drinking alcohol are the main risk factors and are thought to account for around 80% of mouth cancers. People who use both alcohol and tobacco are up to 30 times more likely to develop the condition.
Mouth cancer is more likely to affect people over 40 years of age, though an increasing number of young people are developing the condition.
50 years ago mouth cancer was five times more common in men than women. Now it is only twice as common.
What is the mortality rate?
Around 1,600 people die of mouth cancer every year.
While the death rate has halved for men in their 70s and 80s it has steadily increased for younger men aged 30 to 50.
Early detection and treatment considerably increases survival chances, allows for simpler treatment and results in a better quality of life for sufferers.
Are people aware?
The British Dental Health Foundation National Dental Survey 2007 found that one in four people have never even heard of mouth cancer.
84% recognised smoking as a major risk factor but only one in two people correctly identified alcohol as a cause.
27% believed spicy foods to be a main risk factor, 16% said hot drinks and 15% said kissing.
