RESIDENTS are being encouraged to be aware of mouth cancer amid a rise in the number of cases in young people.
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust’s oral health promotion team held roadshows throughout November as part of Mouth Cancer Action month.
The shows aimed to help save lives by educating people about the early detection and prevention of mouth cancer – including what symptoms to looks out for.
Talks took place at colleges, health centres, and hostels for the homeless while the Mouth Cancer Action team also handed out information and stressed the importance of regular dental check-ups.
Though mouth cancers are most common in people over 40 – particularly men – research has revealed it is becoming more common in younger patients and women.
More than 7,000 people were diagnosed in the UK last year, with 2,000 losing their lives.
Barbara McKellar, senior oral health promotion officer at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “The aim of our visits was to increase the knowledge and understanding of mouth cancer.
“We want to get more mouth cancers diagnosed at an early stage by encouraging everybody to be more vigilant about changes in their mouth.
“Never leave a mouth ulcer unattended for more than three weeks, and don’t ignore any unusual lumps or swellings or red and white patches in your mouth.
“If you do notice any changes in your mouth please speak to your doctor or dentist immediately.”
Visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk for further information about the Trust’s oral health promotion team.
