NHS Lanarkshire’s health improvement team is promoting the national Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign which runs for the whole month of November.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of mouth cancer and save lives by promoting the values of prevention and early detection.
It aims to make everybody more mouth aware and throughout November, NHS Lanarkshire’s Oral Health Team is highlighting the risk factors and the signs and symptoms associated with the disease.
By communicating the causes of mouth cancer, we can encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the number of people diagnosed with the disease. It is also important that we can recognise the early warning signs so that we can act on any unusual changes in the mouth as soon as possible.
The importance of Mouth Cancer Action Month
In the UK, more than 8.300 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year and globally there are in excess of 300,000 new cases every year.
The number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer has grown by around a third in the last decade and remains one of very few cancers which are predicted to increase further in the coming years.
Although risk factors (such as smoking and alcohol) are responsible for many mouth cancers, it is a disease that can affect anyone.
That is why it is so important we all know what to look out for.
- Don’t leave a mouth ulcer unattended for more than three weeks.
- Don’t ignore any unusual lumps or swellings or red and white patches in your mouth.
- Regularly check your own mouth, lips, cheeks, head and neck for anything out of the ordinary.
Anne Muir, Senior Health Promotion Officer, said: “ By spotting mouth cancer early, we have a much better chance of beating it. During Mouth Cancer Action Month we are promoting the message ‘if in doubt, get checked out’.
“We encourage everybody to be mouth aware and pay close attention to what’s going on inside the mouth. With early diagnosis, the chances of surviving mouth cancer are nine out of ten – those odds are pretty good, and that’s why knowing what to look out for is so important.
“If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate. Book an appointment with a dentist or doctor. Quick action is very often life-saving.”
Shelley Percival, Director of Dentistry, NHS Lanarkshire says: “Early diagnosis increases our chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 per cent to 90 per cent, so it is crucial that we know what to look out for and if worried don’t hesitate in seeking advice from a health professional.
“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area, can all be potential signs of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.
“Most of us will spend at least a few minutes every day in front of a mirror brushing our teeth so while we’re there it makes sense to have a quick look inside the mouth. If you keep a lookout for these symptoms, then a simple 45-second check really could save your life. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please speak to your dentist or a doctor.”
Shirley Mawhinney, Senior Health Improvement Manager – Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, added: “Mouth Cancer Action Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking tobacco to our oral health.
“Quit Your Way is a free stop smoking service within NHS Lanarkshire and is available for those who have any queries in regards to stopping smoking.
“For free support to quit smoking, call the Quit Your Way helpline on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.”
Watch this video of a demonstration of how to carry out a self-examination, which could save your life. If in doubt, get it checked out.
