Did you know that around 7,800* new cases of mouth and oropharyngeal cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year? To raise awareness of the condition among people with learning disabilities, our 'Inspired for Training' group have developed a free, Easy Read document all about mouth cancer.
MacIntyre Inspired 4 Training (i4t) is a group of people with learning disabilities in and around the Chesterfield and Derbyshire area, who train people in the use of Great Interactions™ and how to work with people with learning disabilities from their perspective.
The Easy Read document contains information on:
- What is mouth cancer?
- Symptoms to look out for
- When to see your GP
- What can cause mouth cancer
- What you can do
What is mouth cancer?
Mouth Cancer is where tumours will develop in a part or parts of the mouth. This can start with, but is not limited to*:
- On the surface of your tongue
- On the inside of your cheeks
- The roof of your mouth
- On your lips
- On your gums
- In the glands the produce saliva
- Tonsils
Some of the symptoms of mouth cancer include*:
- mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
- unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away
- unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions
- unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue
- sometimes, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue These can be early signs of cancer, so they should also be checked
- changes in speech, such as a lisp
*For further information on mouth cancer, visit:
- Mouth Cancer: Cancer Research: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mouth-cancer/about
- NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mouth-cancer/
