How to get involved
Make sure you have ordered your FREE Blue Ribbon Badge kit and Mouth Cancer Action Month posters.
The support of the health profession is vital in raising public awareness and helping archive early detection, which transforms survival rates to 90%.
Early detection saves lives - oral screening helps survival:
Oral screenings should be performed on each patient at least annually or on every dental visit.
Patients must be told what the screening is for.
Education on self-examination is also key. Warning signs for mouth cancer are:
- Ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
- Red and white patches in the mouth
- Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth
Know the risks – prevention is key
Lifestyle choices can prevent this significant threat. Let people know the facts and don’t pull any punches. Risks are:
- SMOKING, CHEWING TOBACCO, ARECA NUT, PAAN and GUTHKA are main risks.
- ALCOHOL can be deadly. Boozing and smoking raises mouth cancer risks by 30 times.
- POOR DIET is linked to a third of cases. Encourage the five-a-day fruit and veg and a balanced diet.
- HPV – the human papilloma virus (HPV), transmitted via oral sex, is a growing threat as a mouth cancer cause. Experts suggest it may rival tobacco and alcohol as a major cancer cause within 10 years.
Everyone on message
Every health professional must know risks and warning signs and be prepared to advise and act to save lives.
Promotional events
Here are some suggestions on how YOU can help.
- Take part in the Blue Ribbon Badge Appeal
- Order free campaign posters
- Offer free oral screenings outside normal appointments
- Make a point of discussing mouth cancer with patients
- Sponsor staff and friends to quit smoking
- ‘Sell’ raffle tickets in return for full cigarette packs to encourage non-smoking
- Share expertise with a display or talk for your local public
Download campaign logos and a press release template to promote your events and the Mouth Cancer Action Month message.
