04 February 2020

Cancer is an absolutely devastating disease. It causes untold pain and suffering for countless people across the globe. The pain of just one person receiving a diagnosis ripples through friends and family like an earthquake leaves despair in its wake.

According to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), cancer claims the lives of 9.6 million people every year. In the next decade, experts predict that this number will rise by many millions more.

But together, we can all make a difference.

February 4^th is World Cancer Day and our charity is urging you to do something to share information on mouth cancer that could save someone’s life.

More than one third of cancer cases are entirely preventable. A further third can be cured if detected early and treated appropriately.

Mouth cancer is no exception to any of these statistics. Rates of the disease have risen to rate of almost one person diagnosed every hour in the UK alone. Despite this, millions of Brits do not know key information about mouth cancer, including risk factors and major signs and symptoms.

Knowing this vital information could be the difference between a family still being together like they belong and the already high cancer toll continuing to rise.

You can help someone avoid the latter.

For World Cancer Day, do something that helps spread awareness of mouth cancer. Whether it is a post on social media, a conversation with a colleague or anything else you can think of. Help more people become mouthaware on Tuesday 4^th February.

Here’s the information we all need to know:

Reducing your risk of mouth cancer

Consumption of tobacco and excess alcohol are two of the biggest risk factors of mouth cancer. Lower your risk by quitting smoking or smokeless tobacco and stay within the recommended weekly alcohol limit of 14 units.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is predicted to become the leading cause of mouth cancer in the coming years. It is transmitted by oral sex. Lower your risk by limiting your number of partners and practicing safe sex.

Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation, from sunlight or sunbeds, can be dangerous. Reduce your risk by using a good protective sun cream and put the correct type of barrier cream on your lips.

You can also reduce your risk of developing most cancers by having a good diet including plenty of fruit, vegetables and rich in vitamins A, C and E.

Catching mouth cancer early

It is vital to keep an eye out for any changes in your mouth. The most common signs to look out for are:

• Mouth ulcers which do not heal in three weeks.
• Red and white patches in the mouth.
• Unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area.

If you notice any of these warning signs, contact your dentist or doctor immediately.

Generally, you should try to maintain regular visits to your dentist, especially if you smoke or drink. They can see spaces in your mouth easier than you can and may spot a problem before you notice it.

Share your activity on social media using #WorldCancerDay and #IAmAndIWill.

If you share mouth cancer information, make sure you use #MouthCancerAction and #Mouthaware.

For more information on World Cancer Day, visit the official website at www.worldcancerday.org.

To get more information about mouth cancer, visit www.mouthcancer.org.

Get involved with World Cancer Day and together, we can make a difference.