Andover, England  – A survey of 11,785 British adults has found that 70% say they are unaware of any of the symptoms of mouth cancer. Simplyhealth’s Annual Dental Survey 2012 also found that only 3% of individuals think kissing can increase your chances of developing mouth cancer. The healthcare provider’s findings highlight the need to educate the population on the main risks and symptoms of a cancer that’s on the increase^[1].

James Glover, spokesperson for Simplyhealth says: “While 85% of people surveyed recognise that smoking tobacco can increase their chances of developing mouth cancer, there is a lack of awareness about other potential risks.

Our findings follow recent news from Cancer Research UK that high risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections which are spread through bodily contact could be the key reason for the increase in mouth cancer, particularly among younger people^[2]. Although this risk cannot be avoided in the same way as not smoking, it’s important for people to know what makes us all susceptible to this type of cancer.”

Michael Thomas, a practicing dentist says: “As well as knowing the risks, individuals should be educated in identifying the symptoms. As with all cancers, the sooner it is identified, the better. Worryingly, only 28% of those surveyed by Simplyhealth would consider consulting or have consulted with their dentist about concerns or queries over mouth cancer.

Dentists are integral to addressing any worries individuals may have about the health of their mouth. I’d encourage everyone to utilise their time in the dentist’s chair and speak up should they have any questions about the risks or symptoms of mouth cancer.”

Michael Thomas has put together the below ‘cut out and keep’ guide to the main risks and most common symptoms of mouth cancer:

The main risk factors:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Poor diet and nutrition
• Sun exposure (lips)
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) which affects the immune system and can be spread by kissing and bodily contact (most strains of HPV are harmless but a few are high risk)
• Previous cancer diagnosis

Most common symptoms:

• A mouth sore or ulcer that fails to heal or bleeds easily
• All red or red and white patches in the mouth that will not go away
• A lump or thickening in the mouth, tongue or throat
• Difficulty in chewing or swallowing food
• New persistent pain

With a Simply Cash Plan or Simply Dental Plan you can claim back money towards the cost of check-ups, treatment and emergencies. Our plans entitle you to claim for as many treatments as you want up to your annual limit. You simply pay a monthly premium and once you’ve attended your appointment you can claim the money back, by completing a claim form and sending off the receipt.

The Simply Dental Plan also includes a one off payment, in the unfortunate event that a person develops mouth cancer. For further information please visit http://www.simplyhealth.co.uk.

1. In the last ten years, cases have risen from around six cases per 100,000, to eight cases. Cancer Research UK – http://www.cancerresearchuk.org 

2. Cancer Research UK – http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressrelease/2012-03-16-hpv-push-oral-cancer-cases-past-6000-a-year?rss=true 

The article British Unaware of Mouth Cancer Symptoms and Risks appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

As many gear up to the prospect of a tough 2012, three in four Britons (75%) have made financial resolutions for the New Year, according to financial planning website rplan.co.uk.

With one in seven adults (14%) saying his household is GBP500 or more a month worse off in 2011 than it was three years ago, rplan.co.uk asked a GB representative sample of 2,077 adults which financial resolutions they were planning for 1st January.

Of those that planned financial resolutions:

- More than one in two adults (56%) said they planned to cut back on their spending. Women were more prone to this than men (59% to 50%).

- More than one in three people (37%) wanted to try to save more money each month whilst 36% said a key resolution was to cut down their debts. The research showed an attitude-divide between the young and old with the under 35s top financial resolution focusing on saving, whereas the over 35s top priority was to cut back spending and to reduce debt.

Top 10 financial resolutions for 2012:

Resolution                                                                                Percentage

Cut back on my spending                                                         56%

Save more money each month                                                               37%

Reduce my debts                                                                                       36%

Look for a better paid job to boost my income                                      19%

Ensure I have the best insurance cover available                               12%

Cut down what I spend on insurance                                                    12%

Shop around financial providers so I pay less in charges                 11%

Start/take more action with my pension                                                 9%

Take more control over my investment decisions                                8%

Change my bank account                                                                                6%

- Financial plans that didn’t make the top 10 included: paying off my

mortgage (3%), supporting elderly parents financially (3%), moving house (2%) and

taking out life and income protection insurance (3%)

Andy Creak, Managing Director at rplan.co.uk , commented: “The last year has presented most adults with a near-impossible juggling act, many trying to make cut-backs on a shrinking disposable income, whilst also trying to put money away to support the needs of family members.

At rplan.co.uk, we have put tools in place to help people work out in real terms how much various plans, such as getting through university, may cost and we encourage everyone to take a close look at the costs and charges involved in the financial products they hold, as this is an area where meaningful savings can often be made.”

The article British Resolutions for 2012: Save and Reduce appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

In its new Travel Trends 2012 report, flight comparison site Skyscanner has revealed that Australia and New Zealand are seeing a resurgence of interest from the British travelling public. Skyscanner, which has over 15 million users a month, analysed its vast data on user flight searches to produce the report on global travel trends.

Both countries have long had close ties with the UK with strong tourist traffic going in both directions, but the report reveals that interest has increased during 2011. Flight searches to New Zealand were up by 35.4% (making it the fourth biggest rising destination in Skyscanner’s report) and flight searches to Australia were up 24.9%, making it the 20th biggest rising destination.

Travel to New Zealand was boosted significantly by the Rugby World Cup which took place during autumn 2011. The total number of visitors arriving for the rugby has now been confirmed at 133,200 against a forecast of just 95,000 for July through to the end of October.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler hailed it as a fantastic result. He said: “We promoted the New Zealand message hard around the tournament and so expected to see this sort of growth from traditional rugby-loving nations like Australia (up 17,200 people, 21.2%), South Africa (up 4,900 people, 417.4%) the UK (up 2,800).”

This increase in interest is expected to have a knock-on effect for tourist visits to New Zealand in 2012. When Germany hosted the football 2006 World Cup, tourism bosses reported an increase in travel to the country for the following 24 months.

Australia’s boost in interest is thought to be partly attributed to innovative advertising campaigns with partner airlines targeting the UK market. In 2010, Tourism Australia partnered with Emirates, while in February this year, an GBP800,000 advertising campaign with Singapore Airlines had both TV and online slots to boost visitor numbers in the wake of flooding in Queensland and wildfires in Perth.

In autumn 2011, Tourism Australia also worked with ITV on a major broadcast campaign with UK breakfast show Daybreak. The promotion, in partnership with Qantas, saw 50 winners and their companions head to Australia, with their holiday adventures featured on the television programme from November 7-11, generating excellent publicity for the country. Tourism Australia also sponsored Paul Merton’s Adventures, a UK Channel 5 travel programme running for six weeks from October 19.

The article British Travel Trends appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.