The three year campaign, which was launched this week, is designed to raise awareness of the growing incidence of mouth cancer in the UK and of its symptoms and risk factors.

The campaign has also highlighted the link between mouth cancer and excessive alcohol consumption and smoking and the low rate of survival amongst mouth cancer patients.
Dr Stoate, who is a practising GP and a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on health said; “mouth cancer affects nearly four and a half thousand people a year – which is more than cervical and testicular cancer put together – and the evidence shows that it is on the increase.”

“By spotting symptoms early and getting treatment underway as quickly as possible however, we can significantly increase patients’ chances of survival, which is why this campaign is so important and timely.”

“It is also vital to get the message out there that by drinking to excess and smoking, you are significantly increasing your chances of developing mouth cancer: more than 75% of cases are preventable by quitting smoking and drinking alcohol only in moderation.”

Notes

The Early Day Motion ‘Open Up to Mouth Cancer’ states:

That this House welcomes the launch of the Open Up to Mouth Cancer Campaign, a national campaign funded by the Department of Health and run by Cancer Research UK; notes that mouth cancer affects 4,400 people a year, which is more than cervical cancer and testicular cancer put together; further notes that the main risk factors for mouth cancer are tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption; is concerned that  incidence of the disease is increasing and that survival among mouth cancer patients remains poor despite the fact that early diagnosis, when treatment is simpler and more effective, leads to better cure rates; recognises the crucial role that doctors, dentists and pharmacists play in the early detection of mouth cancer; and supports Cancer Research UK’s campaign to raise public awareness of these risk factors and of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer.