A DENTAL practice is backing November's Mouth Cancer Action Month by offering free mouth cancer screenings.

Kingsmead's Abbey Dental Practice, in Regency Way, is welcoming anyone who would like a screening to come and get checked on Friday November 23 and 30.

In backing the campaign, the practice wants to give back to the community and make people aware of mouth cancer and the importance of regular check-ups.

Robert Handley from Abbey said: “Mouth cancer does not have the public awareness that other forms of cancer does, yet shockingly it claims more lives every year than testicular and cervical cancer combined. We need to change this.

“Through our initiative we want to spread awareness of mouth cancer, its causes, the signs and symptoms and the role your dentist can play in helping to catch the disease early enough to beat it.

“Simply register with the practice to receive your free mouth cancer screening which will last approximately 10 minute and checks the whole mouth including the cheeks, lips, tongue and gums."

Oral Health Foundation's Mouth Cancer Action Month aims to reduce the amount of lives lost to mouth cancer by raising awareness of symptoms and causes.

Oral Health Foundation CEO, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, said: “We are thankful for the support of Abbey Dental Practice. Mouth Cancer Action Month relies on the support of the dental industry and with their support we will save lives.

“Mouth cancer is one of the UK’s fastest increasing cancers, with cases up by almost 40 per cent in the last decade alone. Public awareness remains vital to combatting the disease and through us all being ‘mouth aware’ and spotting mouth cancer early enough, we are giving everyone the best possible chance to be successfully treated and have a good quality of life. I would advise everybody in the local area to take Abbey Dental Practice up on this opportunity. Survival rates for those with mouth cancer have not improved in the last 20 years and examination initiatives like this can make a real difference.”

Last year in the UK, more than 7,500 people were diagnosed with mouth cancer, which claims more lives than cervical and testicular cancer combined. Look out for mouth ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth, and unusual lumps or swellings.

Book your free mouth cancer screening with the practice on 01606 44725