5 November 2013

Students and staff to raise awareness of mouth cancer

Photo opportunity: 12.45-1.45pm on Monday, 11th November at Dundee University Students Association (DUSA). Students from the Dental School will be giving oral health advice to members of the public.

University of Dundee dental staff and students will next week work together to raise awareness of mouth cancer and demonstrate how simple steps can help reduce risk.

There are more than 7,700 new cases of mouth cancer diagnosed each year in the UK, with Scotland having the highest incidence.

As part of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week (MCAW) 2013, students will be hosting a range of activities to highlight the issue as well as hosting fundraising events for The Ben Walton Trust, a charity dedicated to raising the profile of oral cancer in the UK.

Nirmal Shah, Student President of the University's Dental School, said, "This is a major health issue across the UK with more deaths per annum from mouth cancer in the UK than fatalities in road traffic accidents.'

Student teams will be available to discuss oral health matters and will be present in Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) between 12.45-1.45pm and 5.30-6pm each day during MCAW from Monday 11th to Friday 15th November.

An interactive stall will provide information and raise awareness of the importance of oral health and the risk factors for mouth cancer. Free samples of toothpaste and other products will also be available. The care pathway will also be highlighted for anyone who has concerns but who is not registered with a dentist.

Symptoms of mouth cancer might include:

• Ulcers that do not heal within two weeks.
• Red/white/mixed patches.
• Lumps or overgrowths in the head and neck region.
• Numbness of the tongue or other areas of the mouth.

Many of these symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions, such as minor infections, but it is important that any of these suspicious symptoms are checked out. Attending regular check-ups at the dentist will help with early detection of the disease.

"Early detection is vital in improving the chance of survival,' said Professor Graham Ogden, who initiated the local Mouth Cancer Awareness Week campaign 15 years ago.

'We need to be raising awareness of the risk factors and what people can do to help prevent the disease. People can reduce the risk of mouth cancer by limiting the amount of alcohol they consume, not smoking and adopting a healthy lifestyle. In younger patients, and some other groups, mouth cancer has been linked with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Mouth cancer can arise at any age and isn't always associated with the traditional risk factors, hence we should raise our index of suspicion.'

The Dundee MCAW events will culminate in an Acoustic Night at DUSA on 15th November when staff and students bring this year's fundraising events to a conclusion. Mike Walton, who founded the UK's leading mouth cancer charity in memory of his son Ben after the disease claimed his life, will visit the School to talk about its aims and work.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277