November is the month to be “mouth aware”.
The Health Improvement Team is promoting Mouth Cancer Action Month to raise awareness of the condition and save lives by promoting prevention and early detection.
The campaign 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.
It’s 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.
In the UK, more than 8300 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 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.
Top tips:
- 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, NHS Lanarkshire 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’re promoting the message ‘if in doubt, get checked out’. We’re encouraging everybody to be mouth aware and pay close attention to what’s going on inside their mouth.
“With early diagnosis, the chances of surviving mouth cancer are nine out of 10 – those odds are pretty good, and that’s why knowing what to look out for is so important.
“Please help us by promoting these messages. 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, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Dentistry, added: “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. If you’re worried, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a health professional.
“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.”
Watch a YouTube video on how to do a mouth cancer check at home
