Five local dentists to give free mouth cancer examinations
Five Athlone dentists will provide free mouth cancer examinations tomorrow (Wednesday) as part of Mouth Cancer Awareness Day.
Speaking at the launch of MCAD 2013, Jimmy McGrath, from Cappoquinn in Waterford, said the five minute examination changed his life.
“I had a spot on the roof of my mouth which wouldn’t go away. A family member heard about Mouth Cancer Awareness Day and I went in to Cork University Dental School and Hospital and had an exam. They knew straightaway there was a problem and they arranged for an appointment with a specialist within days. It doesn’t cost anything and I would recommend it to everyone to have an exam. People think it’s never going to happen to me, but sometimes it does” Jimmy said.
Despite receiving a course of chemotherapy and radio therapy a biopsy showed the tumour was still there and 58-year-old Jimmy opted to have surgery. During the thirteen and a half hour operation his teeth were removed and the roof of his mouth was reconstructed.
Dr Conor McAlister from the Irish Dental Association said the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer may include a sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks.
“Other signs are white or red patches inside the mouth, a lump in the mouth or neck or a persistent sore throat or hoarseness. The cause of mouth cancer is not fully known but your risk is greater if you smoke or consume excess alcohol, especially spirits. If you do both the risk is greater again. If you or someone you know hasn’t visited the dentist in a long time, we would urge you to come along and bring your friend or family member for an exam next Wednesday on Mouth Cancer Awareness Day” Dr McAlister said.
Free mouth cancer examinations will be available to members of the public at over 600 participating dental surgeries countrywide and at the Cork University Dental School and Hospital on MCAD, Wednesday 18th September 2013.
The five Athlone dentists participating are Dr Thomas Desmond Campbell, 25 St Patrick's Terrace, Castlemaine Street; Dr Susanne Kelleher, Meares Dental Surgery, Bastion Court, Connaught Streeet; Dr Hilary Meaney, Meares Dental Surgery, Connaught Street; Dr John Meares, Meares Dental Surgery, Connaught Street and Dr Joanna Patrycja Sikorska, 25 St Patrick's Terrace, Castlemaine Street.
Members of the public are advised to phone the surgery to find out the exact times examinations are available.
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 speak with a specialist nurse in confidence by calling the National Cancer Helpline on Freephone 1800 200 700.