The HSE Health and Wellbeing Alcohol Programme hosted a Webinar ‘Alcohol and Cancer – Reducing the Risk’, to support Mouth Cancer Awareness Day (MCAD) in conjunction with Mouth Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland (MHNCAI). The webinar can be viewed here.
The serious impact of cancer on the lives of thousands of people in Ireland means we must identify every opportunity to prevent this disease. We can improve cancer outcomes by increasing awareness of the relationship between alcohol and cancer. Alcohol causes seven types of cancer, including breast, liver, bowel, mouth, head and neck cancer.
Dr Aisling Sheehan, National Lead HSE Alcohol Programme who chaired the event said that;
“Mouth cancer awareness day is an opportunity to promote awareness about how alcohol can cause cancer, and how this cancer risk can be reduced. In 2020, 1,000 cases of cancer in Ireland were caused by alcohol, with a third of mouth cancers caused by alcohol. Alcohol is one of the most avoidable causes of cancer. There is robust evidence which shows that not drinking alcohol, or drinking less, reduces your cancer risk. We encourage everyone to visit HSE’s website www.askaboutalcohol.ie for alcohol information, tips for cutting down, and details of support services.”
Symptoms of mouth, head and neck cancer include:
- A sore or ulcer in your mouth that does not heal
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- A lump in the mouth or neck
- Thickening or hardening of the cheek or tongue
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue
- Numbness of the tongue or face
- A persistent sore throat and hoarseness
- Persistent nosebleeds and a stuffy nose
- Unexplained loose teeth
Early detection saves lives.
If Head and Neck cancer is found early, chances of survival are much better than if it has picked up late.
When in doubt, get it checked out. Remember that these symptoms below can also be due to complaints other than cancer. However if you have any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, it is important that you seek advice immediately from a dentist or doctor.
Dr Triona McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Director of Public Health NCCP presenting at the webinar said that;
“Cancer risk from alcohol varies for different parts of the body, the strongest association is for tissues that come into direct contact with alcohol such as the mouth, head and neck. Alcohol poses a greater risk for mouth, head and neck cancer.”
Kevin O’ Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society and Chairperson of MHNCAI said that;
“Working with key partners to deliver this webinar on Mouth Cancer awareness day is an opportunity to highlight the right of citizens to know about the damaging effects of alcohol and its role in cancer development and to encourage people to check their mouth for early warning signs, such as a sore, ulcer or lump in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks.”
Visit www.mouthcancer.ie from the MHNCAI for resources on mouth, head and neck cancer.
