'You have small window of opportunity' – GAA icon reveals mouth ...

DUBLIN GAA legend David Hickey revealed the warning signs he experienced before he was diagnosed with mouth cancer.

The three-time All-Ireland winner was a guest on 'The Whole Tooth' podcast in order to mark 'Mouth Cancer Awareness Day' on September 16.

David Hickey, right, revealed he was diagnosed with mouth cancerCredit: Piaras O Midheach / SPORTSFILEDavid Hickey (front row, third from left) won three All-Irelands and two All-Stars with Dublin

And the Raheny clubman revealed concern over a mouth ulcer prompted him to consult his brother who is a dentist.

He said: “I had a small ulcer on my gum and swelling on the floor of my mouth and thought it might be serious.

“I immediately went to see my brother who is a dentist and following subsequent hospital tests I was diagnosed with oral cancer."

Hickey - who won two All-Stars with the Dubs and also enjoyed a prominent rugby career with La Rochelle - sounded a word of warning to this experiencing any symptoms.

Over 700 cases of mouth, head and neck cancer will be diagnosed this year, with 250 of those mouth cancer.

The main risk factors of mouth cancer include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and over exposure to sunlight or radiation.

And Hickey stressed the importance of regular dentist checks for the purpose of avoidance and/or early diagnosis.

He said: “Early diagnosis is the key. Dental practitioners are very aware of the potential difficulties you can run into if this is not dealt with quickly.

“With mouth cancer in particular, you have a small window of opportunity, which closes very fast.

“I would very much recommend regular checks and if you notice anything, like bleeding when brushing your teeth, then you should be seen by your dentist immediately.”