Every year in the United Kingdom, approximately 3, 500 people are diagnosed with oral cancer. About half these people will die of the disease. On average, four people in the UK die every day from oral cancer.

In recent years, there has been a marked rise in the incidents of oral cancer, with relatively poor survival rates related to late diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is associated with a good outcome. Hence, the importance of encouraging dental attendance, and also of conducting intra-oral examinations in other health-care settings, should be recognised.

The Primary Health Care Team have an important role in the early detection and prevention of oral cancer.

Dental experts at the University of Glasgow have set up a website to help encourage prevent the problem of late detection and to encourage more regular dental checks.

"The website is an online learning resource to compliment the Oral Cancer Pack that was published last year," explains Dr David Conway at the University of Glasgow Dental School.

"The website contains information on detection and prevention, including clinical photographs, guides to clinical examination, patient counselling, and the referral process - as well as an online quiz."

The development of this material was based on the results of a survey of primary health care professionals in Scotland, investigating educational needs relating to the prevention and detection of oral cancer. The booklet, video and web pages are designed for use, both on an individual basis, and as part of continuing education group activity. This second edition of the booklet updates material presented in the 2000 edition.

The work was supported by funding from NHS Health Scotland and NHS Education for Scotland. The University of Glasgow Dental School Website: Oral Cancer Prevention and Detection for the Primary Health Care Team can be found at: Dental School Website.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For more details please contact Dr David Conway at the University of Glasgow Dental School on 0141 211 9802 or email: d.conway@dental.gla.ac.uk.

Alternatively you can contact the University Press Office, Mike Findlay on 0141 330-8593, or email: m.findlay@admin.gla.ac.uk.

First published: 17 May 2004