Residents urged to take action against mouth cancer

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (HMR) is urging people to check for early signs of mouth cancer, as part of national Mouth Cancer Action Month this month.

The campaign which runs throughout November features the tagline ‘If In Doubt, Get Checked Out’ and urges members of the public to look out for early signs of the disease and to be aware of the risk factors.

Approximately 6,000 people will be diagnosed with Mouth Cancer in the UK this year. Yet better awareness and early detection of mouth cancer saves lives, with chances of survival rising from 50 per cent to more than 90 per cent if it is caught early enough.

Dr Rebecca Craven, Consultant of Dental Public Health for NHS HMR, said: “Oral cancer has increased by 24 per cent over the past ten years in the Rochdale borough.

“The main causes are smoking and chewing tobacco, as well as paan and gutka.

“It is very important that people attend appointments at their dentist regularly to have a full check up and receive a professional screening for signs of mouth cancer, especially if you smoke or use a tobacco product.”

In between dental appointments, keep an eye on your oral health by going through a simple self-examination process. Look out for: Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth

Dr Craven added: “If you have any symptoms or concerns make an appointment with a dentist and get it checked.”

The Oral Health Promotion team from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be holding mouth cancer awareness sessions on the following dates: 

• Demense Community Centre Health Event, Middleton, 10.00am – 4.00pm, Thursday 10 November
• The Phoenix Centre, Heywood, 10.30am – 3.30pm, Thursday 17 November 

Contact the Oral Health Promotion team on 0161 655 1456 for more information about these and further sessions being held across the borough.