Are you able to spot changes in your mouth? That’s the question posed by NHS Lanarkshire’s health improvement department as it supports a campaign to raise awareness of mouth cancer.

Mouth Cancer Action Month, organised by the Oral Health Foundation, takes place throughout November and members of the department wore blue lips to help raise awareness of this mostly preventable disease.

Anne Moore, interim director of dentistry for NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of beating mouth cancer, so it is crucial that you know what to look out for and, if worried, get advice from a dentist as soon as possible.

“A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area can all be potential signs of mouth cancer, so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.”

Oral health staff are urging Lanarkshire residents to be more mouth aware and recognise the early warning signs of mouth cancer. A simple check is often all that’s needed to identify anything unusual and be able to then seek professional guidance.

Susan Lyttle, senior health promotion officer, added: “During every dental check-up, your dentist will do a visual examination for mouth cancer and look for anything that might be a cause for concern. That’s why it’s so important to keep regular dental check-ups – it’s not just about the health of our teeth and gums – a trip to the dentist could really be a life saver.”

For more information visit www.mouthcancer.org

banner2