Mouth Cancer Action Month announced
Following last week’s news that record numbers of UK patients have been diagnosed with mouth cancer, the British Dental Health Foundation has announced a month-long awareness campaign.
Mouth Cancer Action Mouth, scheduled for November, will run under the tagline “If In Doubt, Check It Out”. Self-examination and oral screenings will be urged. The British Dental Health Foundation is also calling on dentists and pharmacists to support the campaign.
The Department of Health and Cancer Research UK are both on board with the campaign.
Dr Nigel Carter, Foundation chief executive, said: “It is vital that we gain your support as recent shocking figures show mouth cancer is on the increase. This proves an urgent need to ensure that each and every dental patient is screened for mouth cancer and informed of the risks.
“People must understand the threat posed by tobacco and alcohol and HPV and be advised on the best possible lifestyle choices to stay healthy.
“This risk awareness is then augmented by oral screening and self-examination for warning signs such as ulcers which do not heal, red or white patches or other unusual changes in the mouth. This kind of early detection will save lives.”
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Mouth Cancer Action Month announced
The British Dental Health Foundation has announced they will be launching Mouth Cancer Action Month in November of this year.
This announcement comes after recent statistics showed a rise in the number of patients being diagnosed with the condition.
In 2007 it was found there were 1,851 deaths, a rise of 13% in the past ten years. There is estimated to be one death every five hours in the UK due to the illness.
One of the main targets for the campaign is prevention, with the main tagline being, ‘If in doubt, get checked out.’ It is hoped dental professionals, including dentists and pharmacists, will give their support to the initiative.
Dr Nigel Carter, head of the foundation, said: “It is vital that we gain your support as recent shocking figures show mouth cancer is on the increase”.
“This proves an urgent need to ensure that each and every dental patient is screened for mouth cancer and informed of the risks.”
The point of the initiative is to make sure dental professionals carry out necessary testing for mouth cancer and provide patients with preventive messages.
This is to enable patients to make informed decisions when it comes to harmful behaviours such as smoking and alcohol.
Dr Nigel Carter added: “Don’t be the dentist who leaves a patient at risk of mouth cancer – make sure your practice is on message to spread awareness and that oral screenings are an effective, everyday priority”.
Mouth Cancer Action Month will be running from November 1st to November 30th.
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