Check mouths for signs of cancer
NHS chiefs promote oral screening
Published:
WATCH your mouth is what NHS Highland is asking north residents to do.
Working with pharmacies in Caithness and Sutherland, the NHS is encouraging people to seek professional help if they notice any changes in their mouth, which could be early warning signs of cancer.
The changes include ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches and any other unusual changes.
Mouth cancer is diagnosed in more than 5,000 people annually and kills almost 2,000 people each year in the UK. That is one death every five hours.
This month is Mouth Cancer Action Month and the campaign is urging people to visit their GP, dentist or pharmacist for oral screening.
Early diagnosis improves survival chances from just a half of cases to more than 90%.
NHS Highland senior dental officer David Babb said: “Three-quarters of cases are linked to tobacco and alcohol, so it is important that smokers are encouraged to quit and alcohol is drunk in moderation. Early diagnosis can make a real difference.”
Clare Morrison, lead pharmacist for North Highland community health partnership, said community pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for mouth ulcers and will refer anyone with warning signs of mouth cancer on to their dentist or GP.
She said: “They can also provide advice and treatment to help people to stop smoking, which is one of the best ways to prevent mouth cancer.”
The Highland Smoking Cessation Service is on 0845 757 3077, alcohol advice in Sutherland on 01862 894097 and in Caithness on 0800 7314314. Dental registration is on 0845 6442271 or at www.mouthcancer.org
