Mouth Cancer Action Month

This month is mouth cancer action month, with an early diagnosis the chances of surviving are nine out of ten, which is why it is important to know what to look out for.

The message that is being promoted this Mouth Cancer Action Month is ‘if in doubt, get checked out’. Everybody should be mouthaware and pay close attention to what’s going on inside the mouth. You can do a simple home mouth check, or it can be spotted in its early stages by your dentist during a thorough mouth examination.

Smoking tobacco increases your risk of developing mouth cancer by up to ten times, compared with never-smokers. This includes smoking cigarettes, pipes or cigars.

Around two in every three (this is more than 60%) mouth cancers are linked to smoking. There is also evidence that second-hand smoke at home or in the workplace may increase a person’s risk of mouth cancer.

Mouth cancer isn’t just caused by smoking, there are other factors including drinking excess amounts of alcohol, as well as HPV being a recent factor. Another factor for mouth cancer could be linked to an unhealthy diet and a lack of vitamins and minerals.

If there is a history of cancer, then those who have had a mouth cancer previously are at greater risk of developing it again.

There are many ways we can help:

Quit online - https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/pages/quit-online

Our online quit tool will allow you to create your own personal profile and will support you on a daily basis through your quit journey.

Telephone support - our advisors are on hand to answer any questions or provide additional support as you need it. You can call 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166.

Visit our frequently asked questions section to find out more: https://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/frequently-asked-questions