Are you able to recognise changes in your mouth? That’s the question asked by staff in the Health Improvement Department, NHS Lanarkshire as they support the Mouth Cancer Action month charity campaign, to raise awareness of mouth cancer.
The team are urging Lanarkshire residents to be more mouth aware and recognise the early warning signs of mouth cancer. With awareness of the disease remaining alarmingly low, a simple 45-second check is often all that’s needed to identify anything unusual and be able to then seek professional guidance.
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.”
Mouth Cancer Action Month takes place throughout November and is organised by the Oral Health Foundation. Last year, 8,722 people in the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer. The number of new cases has doubled in the last 20 years, making it one of the UK’s fastest increasing cancers. Survival rates of mouth cancer have barely improved in the last 20 years and the oral health charity is concerned that too many are mouth cancers are being diagnosed at a late stage, significantly reducing our chance to beat the disease.
Albert Yeung, Consultant in Dental Public Health, NHS Lanarkshire added: “Mouth cancer can appear anywhere in the mouth including the lips, tongue, cheek, throat and gums and can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, impacting on their breathing, eating and speech.
“By developing a greater understanding about the early warning signs and symptoms, the lifestyle factors which increase our risk, and recognising where to go if we notice anything unusual inside our mouth, we can detect mouth cancer early. During every dental check-up, your dentist will do a visual examination for mouth cancer and look for anything that might be a cause for concern. That’s why it’s so important to keep regular dental check-ups – it’s not just about the health of our teeth and gums – a trip to the dentist could really be a lifesaver.”
Shirley Mitchell, programme 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 more information about Mouth Cancer Action Month and how to check your mouth visit: www.dentalhealth.org/mouthcancer and www.mouthcancer.org
Watch our animation on how to spot the signs and lower your risk of mouth cancer.
For free support to quit smoking, call the Quit Your Way helpline on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
