New patient leaflet raises mouth cancer awareness

New posters and a patient information leaflet have been designed to raise awareness about mouth cancer detection and prevention.

The patient resources, Focus on Mouth Cancer, were launched by the Mayor of Derry Brenda Stevenson at an event at the Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre, Londonderry.

The event aimed to raise awareness of the disease and included the provision of free oral cancer screenings delivered by a team of specialist oral surgeons.

Oral health checks

In addition to the oral health checks, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland (NI) brought two of its Keeping Well vans to the city.

Local residents participated in the free oral health checks, general health checks and one-to-one cancer awareness sessions on offer throughout the day.

In a speech, Mayor Stevenson said: ‘It is clear from the great turnout here that by bringing health improvement initiatives to the heart of our communities, local people can easily avail of vital services on their doorstep.’

Michael Donaldson, head of dental services at the Health and Social Care Board, stressed the importance of early diagnosis in combating oral cancer, saying: ‘By enabling as many people as possible to take up these oral health checks, we are highlighting the key role of the dental team in early detection of oral cancer, which, ultimately, can help save lives.’

Download the leaflets

The patient information leaflets and posters are available for download at http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2626.htm.

Focus on Mouth Cancer is a joint initiative between the Health and Social Care Board, Public Health Agency, Cancer Focus NI and the Old Library Trust Healthy Living Centre.

Photo: At the launch – back row left to right: Michael Donaldson HSCB; chief dental officer Simon Reid; Gerry McElwee Cancer Focus NI. Front row left to right: LeeAnn Monk Old Library Trust; Brenda Stevenson Mayor of Derry; Seamus Killough Chair BDA(NI); Donncha O’Carolan HSCB