Perfect 32 is helping to raise awareness of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week in East Yorkshire by offering free mouth cancer screening from Monday November 12 to Friday November 16, running from 8.30am each morning using an advanced oral cancer screening system called The Velscope.
The practice will also be giving away specially designed information packs highlighting the warning signs and prevention of mouth cancer.
In the UK, mouth cancer is diagnosed in more than 5,000 people annually and kills almost 2,000 people each year – that’s one death every five hours. It is now three times more prevalent than cervical cancer for which there is a government initiative.
The campaign is focused on raising public awareness of mouth cancer with the ultimate goal of saving lives through early detection. The public are urged to visit their dentist for oral screening, which is why Perfect 32’s practice manager, Nicki Rowland, feels compelled to offer free screenings for mouth cancer – for the fifth year running - at the practice in 8 Ladygate, Beverley.
Professional check-ups and regular self-examinations are the best route to early detection of mouth cancer. Early diagnosis saves lives, improving survival chances from just 50% to more than 90%.
Early warning signs include ulcers that do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth, lumps in the neck and unusual changes in the mouth.
Perfect 32 hopes the special screening day and packs, which will be available to patients and non-patients alike, will encourage people to learn more about the disease and visit their dentist regularly for examinations.
Nicki Rowland said: “Last year we screened 54 people completely free of charge in one day. This year we are offering free screening for a full week because we want to encourage as many people as possible to be screened. We want to invite any one over the age of sixteen to come in particularly if they smoke, drink, are sexually active and have a poor diet or are exposed to any combination of these predisposing factors. Hopefully by raising awareness of this terrible disease we will encourage more people to self-check and visit their dentist for the regular examinations that could save their life.”
“We are encouraging people at our free mouth cancer screening to take a handful of our mouth cancer information packs away with them to share with their friends. The cards will also be available in reception throughout November, so please pop in and pick some up.”
Mouth Cancer Awareness Week also aims to raise awareness of a disease which has remained under-reported for too long. Prevention is key and lifestyle choices can help minimise risks.
Booking is essential for the free mouth cancer screening at Perfect 32. Please call 01482 863 667 to reserve a space. For more information on mouth cancer visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org.