MEDIA ALERT –REGULAR DENTAL CHECKS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL 2012

INTERVIEWS:FOUNDER OF THE MOUTH CANCER FOUNDATION –

DR VINOD JOSHI

To set up an interview please call Media Ambitions on 0208 940 2222.

In support of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in America, the Mouth Cancer Foundation, the UK’s leading mouth cancer charity, is urging everyone in this country to make an appointment to visit their dentist this April and make an appointment to undergo regular dental checks every six months.

Mouth cancer is on the increase around the world. It is one of the top ten commonly diagnosed cancers which affects more than 38000 in the UK every year. In 2011, over 6200 new oral cancer cases were reported.

The charity is urging everyone to be vigilant about this Cinderella cancer and take regular dental examinations which are vital for maintaining good oral health. Although the majority of people realise that routine check-ups can prevent cavities, gum disease or root canal, not manyare aware that one appointment with a dentist can also help detect other, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions such as mouth cancer.

As mouth cancer’s warning signs may be easily overlooked by patients, it is important to see a dentist who is more likely to notice its early symptoms* such as lumps or irregular tissue changes in the neck, head and cheeks. Early detection and rapid treatment can save lives.

The founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation Dr Joshi says “Screening and early diagnosis dramatically increases survival rates. All too often mouth cancer patients are diagnosed late. There are many particularly obvious signs and symptoms mouth cancer patients have which are often overlookedby GP's and GDP's because of their lack of awareness of the disease. This is the reason why we stress the importance of regular dental examinations to ensure that any abnormalities are caught early on.”

For more information visit the Mouth Cancer Foundation at

-ENDS-

For general press enquiries, please contact:

Elizabeth Laverackor Izabela Nair

Media Ambitions - 020 8940 2222

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Mouth Cancer Foundation –

The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity no. 1109298.

In the UK, nearly 8000 people are diagnosed with Mouth Cancer every year. Cancers can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, and adjacent areas like the throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites in the head and neck area. In its very early stages, these Mouth Cancers can be easy to ignore.

* Symptoms include:

1. An ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not heal within 3 weeks

2. A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw or neck that persists for more than 3 weeks

3. A difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue

5. A numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth

6. A feeling that something is caught in the throat

7. A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than 6 weeks

8. An unexplained loosening of teeth with no dental cause

More information about Mouth Cancer is available at the Mouth Cancer Foundation web site or by emailing