The five-year survival rate of mouth cancer patients is just 50 per cent.  But early diagnosis gives patients a 90 per cent chance of survival. It is vital that all healthcare professionals support Mouth Cancer Action Month to increase awareness of the disease, the symptoms and the risk factors.

Between 1997 and 2008, the number of mouth cancer cases has risen by nearly 46 per cent to 5,790.  Over 20,000 people have lost their lives in the same period. Unless we continue to keep awareness high around 30,000 people could lose their lives over the next decade as a result of mouth cancer.  With your support we can make sure thousands of people never have to face the trauma and possible disfigurement of mouth cancer.

This year’s campaign will again send a clear message to the public, with our campaign phrase ‘If In doubt, get checked out’. But the ultimate success of the campaign depends on your support. Prevention is the key.

The more you can do to raise awareness, recognise the symptoms and identify the risk factors, the better the chance we have of early diagnosis and saving lives.  Promoting better lifestyle choices can reduce significant threats and make a huge difference, especially amongst young people. According to research undertaken by the NHS Information Centre in 2011, nearly one in two (45 per cent) 11 to 15 year olds have consumed alcohol, while more than one in four (27 per cent) admitted to smoking.

Whether you are a dentist, doctor, nurse, pharmacist or oral health educator make sure you tell all of your patients about the symptoms and risks.