November is Mouth Cancer Action Month and South of Tyne and Wear Primary Care Trust (PCT) have organised a number of events across the area.
The Oral Health Promotion Team in conjunction with the Head and Neck Macmillan Nurses will be at various locations to provide information, advice and guidance to members of the public.
Mouth Cancer Action Month is organised by the British Dental Health Foundation to raise awareness of the causes, signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. The disease kills one person every five hours and early detection improves survival chances to more than 90 percent.
In the last decade the number of mouth cancer cases increased by 41 percent and over 1,800 people die of the disease every year.
Mouth Cancer Action Month, which has the tagline "If in doubt, get it checked out", replaces the previous week-long events. Smokers are advised to attend the dentist at least once per year whether teeth are present or not. Always tell your dentist if you smoke.
Smoking and drinking alcohol to excess are the main factors associated with mouth cancer and cause around 75 percent of mouth cancers. People who both smoke and drink are up to 30 times more likely to develop the condition.
Health professionals also recommend a healthy balanced diet that contains at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Fish and eggs have also been linked to reducing the risk of developing mouth cancer.
Mouth cancer kills more people than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined.
Warning signs for mouth cancer include:
- Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
- Red and white patches in the mouth
- Unusual changes, lumps and swellings in the mouth
Mouth cancer awareness events across South of Tyne and Wear:
Representatives from the Oral Health Promotion Team, Smoking Cessation, Alcohol Awareness Team and Macmillan Nurses will be promoting awareness around mouth cancer and handing out leaflets and other freebies at the following venues
Monday 16th November 10.00am - Washington Library in the Galleries Health Centre
Monday 16th 12.00 noon - 3.00pm at Sunderland Royal Hospital Main Reception
Tuesday 17th Washington Library 10.00am - 3.00pm
Thursday 19th November Bunnyhill PCC main Reception area 10.00am - 3.00pm
Friday 20th November Palmers Hospital South Tyneside 10.00am - 3.00pm
Friday 20th November from 10.00am - 3.00pm -Quenellies Restaurant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead