|
Gum Disease
Linked to Oral Cancer Virus
THE British Dental Health
Foundation are looking to educate the public on good oral health
after scientists discovered severe gum disease could be linked to an
increased risk of head and neck cancer cases caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The study found patients with HPV-positive tumours had significantly
higher bone loss, a key factor in the development of severe gum
disease, compared with patients with HPV-negative tumours.
Latest figures suggest more than 6,000 people in the UK suffer from
oral cancer, while almost 2,000 lives are lost to the disease. HPV
is a growing cause of the disease, with experts suggesting it may
rival tobacco use as the main cause of oral cancer within 10 years.
Other risk factors for developing the disease include tobacco use,
drinking to excess and poor diet.
The significance of the research is compounded by the fact more
teeth are lost through periodontal (gum) disease than through tooth
decay.
Although further research is required to determine the exact
relationship of the link between severe gum disease and an increased
risk of HPV-related oral cancer, it is not the first time poor oral
health and cancer have been linked.
Recent research carried out at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden
suggested failure to brush your teeth properly could increase the
chance of premature death resulting from cancer. They found a link
between high levels of dental plaque; the cause of gum disease;
and dying from cancer up to 13 years earlier than previously
expected.
The findings of both studies present even greater evidence of the
need to ensure good oral health, according to Chief Executive of the
British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE. He
said:- "A greater understanding of how we can tackle this
potentially life-threatening disease could lead to many lives being
saved.
Most of us suffer from gum disease at some point in our lives, yet
it is entirely preventable. By developing and keeping a good oral
health routine it lowers the risk of gum disease and any possible
links to more serious diseases. We should all take time to reflect
on how we can make that a reality.
Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride
toothpaste, cleaning in between teeth daily with interdental brushes
or floss, cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
and visiting the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend will
be a great starting point:-
► If you have swollen gums that bleed regularly when brushing, bad
breath, loose teeth or regular mouth infections appear, it is likely
you have gum disease.
► It is also vital to check regularly for early warning signs of mouth
cancer. These include ulcers which do not heal within 3 weeks,
red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in
the mouth.
► If you are in any doubt, please get checked out.”
The study, published in the Archives of Otolaryngology, sampled 124
patients suffering from oral cancer, 50 of which were as a result of
HPV. Lead author Mine Tezal, D.D.S., Ph.D., of the University at
Buffalo commented:- "Periodontitis is easy to detect and may
represent a clinical high-risk profile for oral HPV infection.
Prevention or treatment of sources of inflammation in the oral
cavity may be a simple yet effective way to reduce the acquisition
and persistence of oral HPV infection.”
Bank Gliches!
WELL this four letter word
is again living up to its reputation after Royal Bank of Scotland,
Nat West and the Ulster Bank left millions of customers, not just in
their bank, without money after a:- "technical glitch due to
an error caused by an upgrade." This error has meant many
businesses, who are already finding it hard to cope with the bad
weather and the run of bank holidays, struggling to pay bills. It
has also affected countless others, including the elderly. RBS
stated in a press statement that they are responding to concerns
about charges and other issues, stating that:- "those
affected, even if not customers of RBS need not worry about being
hit by late payment charges." But as others have said, it
does not make up for:- "the drop in custom on the high street,
or lack of cash when tying to pay for even by the basics."
Have you been affected? What are your views? Email us now to:-
news24@southportreporter.com and let us know! |
 |
SUPER-FAST FIBRE
BROADBAND COMING TO NEARLY 35,500 MORE MERSEYSIDE HOMES AND
BUSINESSES
BT announced a major
investment in Merseyside, which could help create new businesses and
hundreds of local jobs. High-speed fibre broadband will be rolled
out to more than 13,000 homes and businesses in Maghull, 9,300 in
Marshall's Cross, 13,000 in Rock Ferry - as well as 23,400 in
Warrington - during 2013. It will take the total number for the
whole of Merseyside to more than 368,000 of which around 223,000
already have access.
The investment; part of a £2.5 billion BT roll-out of fibre
broadband across the UK; is expected to give a major lift to the
local economy. Recent research by Regeneris Consulting predicted
that over the next 15 years BT's fibre broadband could give the
economy of a typical town a £143 million boost, create 225 new jobs
and 140 new start-up businesses.
Mike Blackburn, BT's regional director for the North West, said:-
"The arrival of fibre broadband in these communities is a massive
shot in the arm for the local economy, creating new businesses, jobs
and educational opportunities. The benefits are major and
wide ranging. As our new fibre network expands across region it also
brings new potential for offering essential public services online
and cost savings across the sectors.
Local firms and households who make the switch to fibre broadband
will be able to do so much more with their connection, whether
they're using it for business, entertainment, education, social
networking or shopping – or all of these at once. They're joining
more than 10 million premises now passed by our fibre network and
becoming part of one of the fastest roll-outs of the technology
anywhere in the world.”
Councillor Marie Rimmer, leader of St Helens Council, said:-
"This is excellent news for many people in St Helens; who will soon
have access to the next generation of internet services; and
complements the coverage that will be delivered by the Liverpool
City Region Broadband Plan.
Reliable, fast connections can make all the difference to education
and business, and give people much greater scope for interaction
with the world around them.
In a tough economic climate, this local investment from BT will help
make St Helens an even better place to live, work and do business.”
BT's local network business Openreach is making fibre broadband
available to around 66% of UK homes and businesses by the end of
2014 using a mix of fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and fibre to the
premises (FTTP) technologies. Both offer speeds many times
faster than those currently available to most UK homes and
businesses. FTTC, where fibre is delivered to the street cabinet,
offers download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to
20Mbps. FTTP, where fibre runs all the way to homes and businesses,
offers download speeds of 110Mbps, with 330Mbps coming soon.
By spring 2013 BT aims to make speeds of 330Mbps2 commercially
available in any area where fibre broadband has been deployed3. The
UK's current average broadband speed is 7.6Mbps, according to the
regulator Ofcom.
Mike Blackburn added:- "As more and more people get connected
to the fibre broadband network, it's increasingly important that
those living in our more rural areas don't miss out. Across the UK,
public bodies are developing plans to boost broadband speeds in even
the most challenging areas. BT will compete hard to be
the private sector partner of choice in such initiatives and, if
selected, we'll invest further funds to take faster broadband to as
many people as possible. Unlike some others, our network is
available on an equal, wholesale basis to all companies offering
broadband services, bringing choice and competition to local
households and businesses.
We want to help the UK achieve world-class digital connectivity and
make sure the communities where we provide services and jobs remain
vibrant, strong and connected.”
Internet users with a fibre broadband connection can do much more
online, all at the same time. A family can download a movie, watch a
TV replay service, surf the net and play games online
simultaneously. A whole album can be downloaded in less than 30
seconds and a feature length HD movie in less than 10 minutes,
whilst high-resolution photos can be uploaded to Facebook in
seconds.
Upload speeds are the fastest widely available to consumers in the
UK, with large video and data files being sent almost instantly and
hi-resolution photos posted online in seconds. And high quality
voice and video calls mean businesses can keep in touch with
customers while they cut down on travel.
For further information on Openreach's fibre broadband programme
visit:-
superfast-openreach.co.uk
|
