What is Mouth Cancer Action month?
November 2015 is Mouth Cancer Action month and all through the month we’ll be doing our bit to help raise awareness of mouth cancer and how, through early detection, there’s the potential for thousands of lives to be saved.Mouth Cancer Action month is an initiative from the British Dental Health Foundation who are aiming to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage by increasing education of the risk factors, signs and symptoms while encouraging everybody to discuss them with their dentist.The British Dental Health Foundation say: “In the UK, more than 6,700 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year. The disease has grown by a third in the last decade – and remains one of very few cancers which are predicted to increase further in the coming years – that’s why Mouth Cancer Action Month is so important.“Although there are risk factors heavily linked to the disease, mouth cancer can affect anybody – that’s why it’s so important that we all know what to look out for. The campaign is all about taking action. Don’t leave that ulcer unattended for more than three weeks. Don’t ignore that unusual lump or swelling or red and white patches in your mouth. Early detection could save your life.”Mouth cancer claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined but with survival rates at 90% with an early diagnosis it’s vital we raise more awareness of how to spot it and what to do next.At Hartley Dental, we’ll be pitching into the campaign both online and in the practice. Through the month we’ll bring you information on the facts and figures behind mouth cancers, the risk factors and what you can do to prevent the risk.We’ll also be joining in with the #bluelipselfie campaign with other dentists across the country to show our support.