Check for signs of mouth cancer as awareness month gets under way
Leicester residents are being encouraged to learn the signs of mouth cancer as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month this November.
The campaign is being led by Leicester City Council's public health team.
Throughout November, oral health specialists will be taking information and advice directly into communities across Leicester, with a programme of outreach events aimed at helping people to reduce their risk and seek advice if they notice anything unusual.
These will include a session at the Haymarket Shopping Centre on 16 November, when residents will be able to speak to the oral health team at an information stand.
Dr Pankhuri Sahare from the public health team said: “Mouth cancer can affect anyone, but smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco products such as paan, betel nut or gutkha can all increase the risk.
“Regular dental check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and ensuring secondary school-age children receive the HPV vaccination can all help to reduce the risk, as HPV is a virus that can cause some types of cancer.”
Residents are being encouraged to check their mouth once a month and look out for symptoms such as mouth ulcers that last longer than three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth, and lumps or swellings in the mouth, neck or throat.
Other potential signs to look out for are ongoing mouth pain, difficulty chewing or swallowing, persistent changes to your voice and unexplained weight loss.
Early diagnosis can make mouth cancer easier to treat, and anyone concerned about symptoms is urged to speak to their dentist or GP.
Figures show that in Leicester, between 2020 and 2022, the mortality rate from mouth cancer was 8.11 per 100,000 people, compared with 5.18 per 100,000 in England.
Assistant city mayor for public health, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: "Mouth cancer is a serious health issue, but there are things we can all do to lower our risk. This Mouth Cancer Action Month, we want people to know what to look out for and get into the habit of checking their mouth once a month, which is why we will be out and about to spread this message.
"Most mouth changes will not be cancer, but if something doesn't look or feel right and does not go away, it is important to get it checked by a dentist or GP."
Support to stop smoking or chewing tobacco is available through Live Well
Leicester, local GP practices and dental services. Find out more at https://livewell.leicester.gov.uk/
This YouTube video shows how you can check your mouth for signs of mouth cancer:
Community Safety Post
Leicester City Council News - Published on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
