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Mouth Cancer Action Month is an annual charity campaign which which takes place every November. It is organised by the Oral Health Foundation, a leading UK charity that works to improve health and wellbeing by reducing the harm caused by oral diseases. The aim of this important campaign is to to raise awareness of mouth cancer and save lives by promoting the values of prevention and early detection – by making everybody more mouthaware.

Throughout November, Dentists, health professionals and other community organisations will be highlighting the risk factors and signs and symptoms associated with the disease – and here at Sharoe Green Dental Practice we are proud to support this important cause.

By joining forces to communicate the causes of mouth cancer, we can encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the number of people diagnosed with the disease. To achieve this, it is 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.

Why does Mouth Cancer Action Month matter?

In 2017 alone, more than 8.300 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer, whilst there are in excess of 300,000 new cases every year around the world. Worryingly, the number of people being diagnosed with mouth cancer has grown by around a third in the last ten years. Unlike most other cancers, the number of people suffering from mouth cancers is predicted to increase further in the coming years.

Whilst certain lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol are known to be major risk factors for many mouth cancers, it is important to understand that the disease that can affect anyone.

How can dental check-ups help prevent mouth cancer?

The easiest way to ensure that mouth cancer can be treated successfully is to recognise the early signs that something may not be quite right. That is why it is so important we all know what to look out for:

• 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.

Remember, some of these early signs of mouth cancer can be hard to detect yourself. One of the best ways to be sure that any suspected symptoms of mouth can be found and treated quickly and effectively is to ensure that you have a regular dental check-up. Your dentist is trained to recognise these symptoms and will check for them as part of your examination. Ultimately, visiting the dentist regularly can help to save lives.

How can I support Mouth Cancer Action Month 2018

As a charitable campaign, Mouth Cancer Action month relies on support from the entire community – and you too can play a part in the fight against this deadly disease. One way to support the campaign is to wear a blue ribbon. The Blue Ribbon Appeal plays a key role in directly engaging people with the issues surrounding mouth cancer.

Whether it is talking about the risk factors involved, the early warning signs or the benefits of early detection, all can make a difference in improving education and ultimately saving lives.

Costing just £1, blue ribbon badges have been worn by over 250,000 people over the last three years and the money raised through the appeal has helped the Oral Health Foundation, in the last year alone, to directly provide mouth cancer advice to 350,000 people online, over the phone, by email and by printed information.

Members of the public can also set up a regular charitable donation to support action against mouth cancer through the official campaign website.

If you haven’t seen your dentist in the last six months or have any questions about mouth cancer, don’t hesitate to contact the team at the award winning Sharoe Green Dental Practice and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment.