Check out what's inside your mouth' is the message of a new health campaign that could save lives.

Oral Health teams at Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust and the Maxillo Facial Unit at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have started their own information campaign as part of national Mouth Cancer Awareness week, which starts on Monday, to alert patients to watch out for signs of mouth cancer.

They have sent leaflets and posters to doctors, dentists and pharmacists throughout the district. There will be an information stand in Bradford's Kirkgate centre on Monday from 9.30am to 4pm.

The theme of this year's awareness week is If in doubt, get checked out'.

Lynn Owen, senior oral health promotion officer with Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT, said: "If you have a mouth ulcer that hasn't healed after three weeks, or you notice any unusual changes in your mouth you should visit your dentist as soon as possible for an examination.

"One of the most important ways of reducing your chance of getting this disease is by adopting a healthy lifestyle which includes stopping use of tobacco products, drinking alcohol sensibly, having good eating habits and visiting your dentist regularly."

Divya Keshani, associate specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, said: "Our staff are totally committed to treating patients with mouth cancer and we have a team that is specifically trained to manage these patients. We look forward to seeing as many patients as possible during these open access clinics."

Dr Vinod Joshi, a consultant in restorative dentistry at St Luke's Hospital, and founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, organised a walk in Hyde Park last month to raise awareness in the run-up to Mouth Cancer Awareness Week.

Dr Joshi said: "If you notice a lump in your mouth that wasn't there before, or a mouth ulcer which lasts for more than three weeks, you should see a dentist or doctor immediately."

The Maxillofacial Unit has a helpline for professionals who wish to refer or discuss cases on (01274) 365200, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. On-call staff are available for out-of- hours referrals through the hospital switchboard.

There are 4,400 new cases of mouth cancer and 1,700 deaths every year in the UK, and these figures are increasing each year.

For more information visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org, www.cancer researchuk.org or contact the Oral Health Promotion Unit in Airedale on (01535) 654666 and in Bradford on (01274) 223936/7.

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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