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The Oral Health Foundation is calling on dental, general practice and community pharmacy teams to support Mouth Cancer Action Month, our annual awareness campaign, which starts this Sunday and runs throughout November.
Mouth cancer is now among the ten most common cancers in the UK, with more than 11,000 people diagnosed each year. In England, cases have increased by 119% over the last 20 years, with similar upward trends across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As the disease becomes more common, opportunities to recognise symptoms, support prevention and encourage timely assessment matter across primary care.
This year, our campaign message, “Change is your sign: Remove the doubt, get checked out,” encourages people to act on unusual changes in their mouth. We are asking healthcare teams to help turn that message into everyday conversations and practical support.
“With more than 11,000 people diagnosed with mouth cancer in the UK each year, this campaign matters enormously. The Oral Health Foundation is doing vital work to help people recognise the warning signs, understand their risks and feel confident about getting checked.
“I am proud to support Mouth Cancer Action Month and would encourage every dental, GP and pharmacy team to get involved. Whether someone attends a dental examination, raises a concern with their GP or asks for advice in a pharmacy, that contact is an opportunity to help turn awareness into action.”
Dr Cathie Brady, Dentist and President-Elect at the Oral Health Foundation
Dental teams: explain the examination
Routine dental examinations offer an important opportunity to spot signs of mouth cancer and help patients understand what to watch for between visits.
Yet almost six-in-ten adults (59%) do not know dentists look for mouth cancer, while more than one-in-four (26%) say they have never discussed it with their dentist.
This November, we encourage dental teams to explain when they are checking for signs of mouth cancer, discuss the findings and describe the changes patients should report between visits. Encourage patients to ask about the outcome of their mouth cancer examination, and use the conversation to offer appropriate advice about tobacco, alcohol and HPV vaccination. A short team briefing can help everyone, from reception colleagues to clinicians, feel confident about sharing the campaign message.
GP teams: recognise concerns and support timely referral
General practice plays a vital role in the mouth cancer response. A systematic review of UK studies estimated that around half of patients with oral cancer were referred by GPs.
Among UK adults reporting a possible warning sign, only 31% sought advice from a healthcare professional. When someone raises a concern, clear assessment, referral, and safety-netting processes can help them reach the right service.
We are asking GP teams to refresh symptom recognition, review relevant guidance and local pathways, and strengthen links with dental services. Patients should understand what happens next and who to contact if symptoms persist, worsen or appointments cannot be accessed.
Pharmacy teams: ask how long the ulcer has been there
Mouth ulcers are a common reason people seek advice in community pharmacies. Most heal quickly, but a non-healing ulcer is also an important warning sign of mouth cancer.
A 2024 survey of 59 community pharmacy staff found that 54.2% encountered mouth ulcer enquiries at least weekly, including 15.3% daily. Yet only 42% of adults in our survey recognised a non-healing mouth ulcer as a possible mouth cancer symptom.
Asking how long an ulcer has been present is a simple, important step. Most heal within one to two weeks; NHS advice is to see a dentist or GP if an ulcer lasts longer than three weeks.
We are encouraging pharmacy teams to brief colleagues, recognise concerning enquiries and give clear signposting and follow-up advice.
One message across primary care
Along with non-healing mouth ulcers, warning signs include red or white patches and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or neck. These changes do not necessarily mean cancer, but they should be assessed by a dentist or doctor.
Every team can also support prevention through appropriate conversations about tobacco and alcohol, brief advice and connections to cessation services. Teams can also raise awareness of HPV vaccination and signpost eligible people to vaccination services.
Throughout November, practices and pharmacies can display campaign posters, share self-check information and use websites, newsletters and social media to reach their communities.
On Blue Wednesday, 18 November, wear blue, create a campaign display or light up your building. Share your activity using #MouthCancerAction and explain the message behind it.
“Let’s all get behind Blue Wednesday on 18 November. Wear blue, create a display in your practice or pharmacy and share information about the warning signs. Use the attention it generates to explain why getting changes checked matters.
“Every primary care team can contribute throughout November. Dental teams can explain examinations, GP teams can assess concerns and arrange appropriate referrals, and pharmacy teams can help people recognise when symptoms need further assessment.
“Together, we can help people understand their next step and feel confident about taking it. Change is your sign: Remove the doubt, get checked out.”
Dr Cathie Brady, dentist and President-Elect at the Oral Health Foundation
Explore our Mouth Cancer Action Month resources and activity ideas, and help make the campaign count throughout November.
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