Pub quizzes and beer mats are being used to raise awareness for mouth cancer in a new campaign launched by Salford residents and pub landlords.
To coincide with Mouth Cancer Action Month in November the campaign is designed to help customers spot the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer.
Teams of local people are hoping to spread the message about the significance of mouth cancer as part of Salford Healthy Community Collaborative, which sees residents and public services combine to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of heart disease and cancer.
Councillor Margaret Morris, Assistant Mayor for Health and Wellbeing at Salford City Council, believes the campaign is an excellent idea.
“This is the one time when believing the man or woman in the pub might just save your life,” she said.
If caught and treated early there is a 90% chance of survival from mouth cancer.
Since the 1970s mouth cancer rates have risen in the UK with most cases caused by smoking and harmful drinking.
The major risk factors for the disease are tobacco, alcohol, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and too much sun for the lips.
Symptoms include an ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that doesn’t heal within three weeks and also a difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw and tongue.
Steve Jones, Healthy Community Collaborative Project Manager, said: “Because this is local people talking to other local people the messages hit home.
“It is very important that people have their mouths checked regularly and go immediately to their GP if they have any concerns.
“Mouth cancer can almost always be successfully treated if it is caught early.”
Oral cancer is twice as common in men as in women.
The best way to identify the symptoms of mouth cancer early is to have regular checkups at the dentist.
Mouth Cancer Action Month is run by the British Dental Health Foundation and organised to raise awareness of the risks of the disease.
The new campaign in Salford pubs sees residents hoping to get the serious message across in a relaxed, informal environment.
Image courtesy of Hilde Skjølberg via Flickr, with thanks.
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