Top tips to spot the warning signs

Michelle Vickers, CEO of HNCF has provided a number of tips to help people check their mouths for the symptoms of mouth cancer.

■ Look at your whole face – Have you noticed any swellings that are not usually there?

Inspect your skin, do you have any moles that have become larger or started to itch or bleed?

Don’t forget to turn your head from side to side, this stretches the skin over the muscles making lumps easier to see.

■. Feel your neck – you will need to run the fingers under your jaw and feel along the large muscle either side of neck using the balls of your fingers.

You need to be checking for any lumps or swollen areas and if everything feels the same on both sides.

■ Pucker up – When you apply lipstick or brush your teeth, use this time to inspect your lips.

Feel around the inside of your lips and along the gum line.

Any ulcers that have been hanging around or come back, changes in texture, or lumps and bumps should be checked out with a medical professional.

■ Feel your cheeks – Check both the inside an outside with your fingers.

It should feel the same on both sides. You’re looking for red or white patches, lumps, ulcers, or tenderness.

■ Tilt your head – to look at the roof of your mouth, tilt your head back and open your mouth wide infant of a mirror.

You are looking for ulcers and also changes in colour and texture.

If you do this once a week, you’ll spot if anything changes or looks unusual.

HNCF have also produced a short video showing you how to check your mouth. To see it log on to https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=t-GeHCIL7-A