A RETIRED architect and draughtsman has called on his MP to help make dental treatment free to breast cancer sufferers who have lost teeth through a rare side effect to treatment.

John Craven, from Oxenhope, whose findings have been backed-up by two main cancer charities, says he has a close relative who is only 50 but her self- esteem has hit rock-bottom, not only through battling breast cancer, but through the loss of four teeth caused by her treatment and which the NHS says it won’t pay to be fixed.

Her dental surgeon and a specialist orthodontist both told her she would have to pay for implants herself - at a cost of around £15,000 - because the cancer was not in the mouth.

“She’s at such a low ebb she often doesn’t want to go out. I’ve told my MP Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley - who agreed something should be done - that the way these women are being treated, who have already gone through gruelling treatment and whose self esteem has already been damaged, is disgusting.

“These women deserve much more. They should qualify for free dental treatment because it is really an extension of the cancer treatment. It is the treatment they received that caused the tooth loss in the first place. It’s mental cruelty which is affecting the most vulnerable. The wealthy can pay for treatment and some people on pension credits can get financial support, but those in between who I call the ‘working poor’ get nothing and either have to live with unsightly gaps or have cheap dentures fitted. It is very wrong on so many levels. What’s more it only adds to their stress and can exacerbate mental health issues which would cost the NHS more in the long run.

“My relative is bi-polar and being self-conscious with losing teeth has added to her anxiety massively.

“The only reason few people know about this side effect is because women are not going to shout from the rooftops that they’ve lost some teeth. They are embarrassed by it and it is playing into the government’s hands,” he said.

Mr Craven said funding could be diverted to help these people by insisting, for example, that companies like vehicle insurance companies all have a personal injury element so anyone involved in a crash requiring dental repairs would be covered by insurance, rather than the hospital picking up the bill.

Mr Moore said he had spoken to Mr Craven about the little-known side effects.

He said: “It is concerning to hear that women are unable to access free dentistry when they have lost teeth due to receiving treatment for breast cancer. I have raised this issue with the Department for Health and Social Care asking what more can be done to support people who have been affected by this. I will continue to monitor this issue closely.”

He added he had already spoken with the relative’s dental surgeon about the matter.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Now charities have also backed up Mr Craven.

Macmillan Cancer Support charity said: “The side effects of cancer treatment can have a lasting effect on people long after their treatment has finished, this can include issues with tooth loss as a result of surgery or treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The extent to which a person diagnosed with cancer will be affected depends on the type of cancer they have and the treatment they receive. In some cases, such as head and neck cancer, teeth can be removed as a preventative measure ahead of cancer treatments.

In the case of breast cancer some patients will be prescribed bone strengthening medication when receiving treatment such as chemotherapy, in rare cases the medication can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, which can contribute to tooth loss.

Lisa Spivey, Macmillan Partnership Manager for West Yorkshire, said: “All patients are different and respond differently to treatments and medication. Anyone diagnosed with cancer will be advised to register with a dentist if they haven’t already, but we know that patients often struggle to find an NHS dentist, and access to affordable dental care has become more of an issue because of the pandemic.

“The physical and mental effects of cancer treatment can last for many years, issues such as tooth loss can have a huge impact on a person’s confidence, ability to socialise, as well as eat and drink.

“Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating and most people don’t realise it is also expensive, with dental care being one of many things people don’t expect to have to pay for. Macmillan offer one off grants of £350 to help with the added expense of a cancer diagnosis and this can include dental care, however dental treatments can run into the thousands.”

Addie Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Now, added: “Breast cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and hormone therapy, often leave people dealing with many physical and emotional side effects which can have a profound effect on everyday life.

“As well as hair loss and nausea, chemotherapy may cause mouth ulcers or dry mouth which can increase the risk of tooth decay, oral thrush and bleeding gums, and on some occasions result in tooth loss. This treatment can also cause a drop in white blood cells, and this can increase the risk of infection. For people receiving bisphosphonate treatment - a bone strengthening drug often given to reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading to the bone - a rare side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw, whereby the cells in the jawbone die and this can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.

“We know from people we talk to on our Helpline that physical changes as a result of treatment, including tooth loss, can seriously affect their confidence, wellbeing and quality of life. This is why it’s vital that women are given information and advice about any possible side effects they may experience ahead of starting treatment, including advice around visiting their dentist for a check-up and speaking to their oncologist about the best time to have any dental procedures undertaken. This must go hand in hand with patients having prompt access to healthcare services which meets their individual needs.

Mr Craven said he first discovered the side effects after coming across a change.org petition from a woman called Michele Solak. Her page can be found at: https://www.dentalhealth.org/blog/michele-solak-why-im-asking-the-government-to-introduce-free-dental-care-for-cancer-patients

He also said he was considering writing to the Prime Minister directly, as well as pursuing the case with the Court of Human Rights.