Spot The Signs
Are you checking your mouth for signs of cancer?
Early diagnosis can increase survival rates by up to 90%
When it comes to breast or testicular cancer, the message is clear: self-examination is one of the best ways to detect potential signs of the disease. Knowing our bodies and what is normal for us as individuals is crucial in helping us to recognise potential symptoms that may need to be discussed with a GP. Cases of mouth cancer are rapidly increasing in the UK. More people suffer from the disease than testicular and cervical cancers. So why aren’t more people self-examining? It takes 60 seconds to check yourself.
Simple mouth checks can save lives. Dentists should be doing this as part of routine dental check-ups. But we can help ourselves to stay healthy, too. We should all examine our mouths as part of our oral hygiene routines.
Check your mouth once every two months.
If you spot anything of concern speak with your GP immediately!
Signs To Look For
Red and white patches inside the mouth
Mouth ulcers that last over two weeks
Unusual lumps or swellings
Self Diagnosis
In a series of videos, Professor Mark McGurk, Co-Founder and Trustee of HNCF discusses the most at-risk areas for developing head and neck cancers and how you can best identify any indications of these.
Never use these videos to rule out a concern, contact your GP if you are worried about anything.
