Calderdale medics raise awareness of mouth cancer

Medics at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have organised screening events at part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

They said up to 75 per cent of mouth cancer cases were preventable by taking measures like quitting smoking and cutting down on drinking.

Being vaccinated against the HPV virus can also prevent oro-pharyngeal cancer, which kills one person every three hours in the UK because of late detection.

Screening events will be held on Thursday, November 5, at Calderdale Royal Hospital’s ENT department from 1pm-4pm and at the Maxillofacial Unit at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary from 9.30am–4pm.

Maxillofacial Unit Manager Mary Augustine said: “Raising awareness is very important to the team.

“A few years ago no one had heard of mouth cancer. However it is increasingly common and people need to know what to look for.

“Early detection and prevention through healthy lifestyles are always the messages we would wish to get across.”