Are you able to recognise the changes in your mouth? That’s the question posed by NHS Shetland’s Public Dental Service as it supports a charity campaign to raise awareness of mouth cancer.
The public dental service is urging Shetland residents to be more ‘mouthaware’ and to recognise the early warning signs of mouth cancer, as part of November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month.
With awareness of the disease remaining alarmingly low, NHS Shetland’s Public Dentist Service is reminding residents that a simple 45-second check is often all that’s needed to identify anything unusual and professional guidance should be sought if something doesn’t look quite right.
Angela Hopwood, Oral Health Improvement Nurse, for NHS Shetland said: “Early diagnosis improves 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 that we do not hesitate in seeking advice from a health professional.
“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches, 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.
“Quite often it is easier to notice lumps and bumps on the outside of the body or to dismiss a mouth ulcer as benign. 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, 8,864 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 cases are mouth cancers that are being diagnosed at a late stage, significantly reducing our chance to beat the disease.
Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE added: “Mouth cancer can appear anywhere in the mouth including the lips, tongue, cheek, throat, and gums.
“Mouth cancer can have a devastating effect on a person’s life, impacting on their breathing, eating, and speech. Reconstructive surgery could also change their appearance while the experience often has an impact on confidence and self-esteem.“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. This will not only improve our chances of beating it but will also reduce the amount of invasive surgery needed to treat it.”
To find out more information about mouth cancer and Mouth Cancer Action Month, please visit
www.mouthcancer.org
Further information can also be found on the Oral Health Improvement NHS Shetland Facebook page.
ABOUT MOUTH CANCER ACTION MONTH
Every November, the Oral Health Foundation organises and runs Mouth Cancer Action Month, under the message ‘if in doubt, get checked out’. Our campaign has become an influential springboard in educating the public about mouth cancer, highlighting the risks, symptoms and causes of the disease.
The campaign is about taking action and raising awareness, particularly among those groups who are most at risk. We want people to look out for ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth, and unusual lumps or swellings while encouraging them to regularly visit a dentist to ensure they’re checked for signs of mouth cancer.
By working closely with the dental and health profession and supporting them in their activities to patients and local communities, we continue to increase mouth cancer awareness and save lives through early detection.
Mouth Cancer Action Month is sponsored by Denplan, part of Simplyhealth Professional, and also supported by the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
For further information, please visit www.mouthcancer.org