"Great service and early detection"

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your mouth cancer diagnosis and treatment. This highlights the importance of visiting the dentist regularly as they check for the early warning signs of mouth cancer as part of a regular examination. They can refer patients to hospital for further tests if they notice anything unusual as the dentist Tarek Mahmoud at Clitheroe Hospital did in your case.

Early detection is crucial with mouth cancer and it is wonderful to hear that the dentist’s prompt recognition and early referral has given you back your good health. Lancashire Care Dental Service will be raising awareness of mouth cancer with the public during Mouth Cancer Action Month in November.

Ceri Mansell

Dental Service Integration Manager

Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mouth Cancer Action Month – 1st – 30th November 2013

The campaign this year is again for the whole of November. As with previous years the campaign will be promoting the slogan ‘If In Doubt, Get Checked Out’ to raise awareness of the disease, the common risk factors and early warning signs.

Mouth Cancer Action Month provides the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of mouth cancer. Many people have not heard of mouth cancer and do not realise how common it is. Low awareness amongst the public leads to people seeking treatment only when the cancer has reached an advanced and more difficult to treat stage.

Yet better awareness and early detection saves lives.

Remember to visit your dentist regularly even if you no longer have your own teeth. Dentists check for the early warning signs of mouth cancer as part of a regular examination and can refer patients to hospital for further tests.

Take time to check your own mouth also, as early detection is crucial.

If you notice any of these symptoms and they last longer than 3 weeks, you must visit your dentist or doctor.

• A sore or ulcer in your mouth or on your tongue

• A lump anywhere in your mouth or neck

• A red or white patch in your mouth

• An unexplained pain in your mouth or ear

• A sore or painful throat

• A croaky voice or difficulty swallowing

The Oral Health Promotion Department of Lancashire Care Dental Service will be raising awareness of the campaign and the disease with the public during the month of November. Various venues including hospitals, health centres, supermarkets and leisure centres across East Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Preston will be visited and resources have been distributed to other agencies and organisations. The Oral Health Promotion Department has also worked in partnership with the local radio station The Bee during the ‘Love Your Family – Healthy Body’ campaign in October, to raise awareness of the disease and campaign.

Please use the British Dental Health Foundation and Cancer Research UK website links below for further information and downloadable resources. With your help we can raise public awareness of this National Campaign to increase early detection of mouth cancer and save lives.

http://www.mouthcancer.org/

http://publications.cancerresearchuk.org/cancertype/mouth/mouthleaflet.html