NHS AYRSHIRE and Arran is raising awareness about mouth cancer for Mouth Cancer Action Month.

The Oral Health Improvement Team are educating the public about early warning signs of mouth cancer, as awareness of the disease remains low.

They are encouraging residents of Ayrshire and Arran to recognise the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer, and to have regular check-ups at the dentist.

In 2017, Ayrshire resident Jim was diagnosed and treated for mouth cancer after experiencing discomfort while eating.

After ignoring it for a few weeks, he finally decided to get it checked, which saved his life.

Jim said: "I was diagnosed back in 2017 after finding a lump in my mouth.

"It never crossed my mind that I might have a cause for concern and continued to leave it for a few weeks before going to get it checked out by a GP who referred me to the hospital.

"There are a lot of misconceptions around mouth cancer, and it might surprise you to learn that I don’t smoke or drink alcohol at all.

"I think if I knew more about what signs and symptoms to look out for and attended a dentist regularly, things might have been different."

Ewen Thomson, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s oral and maxillofacial consultant and head and neck surgeon, said: "Early diagnosis transforms the chances of beating mouth cancer from 50 per cent to 90 per cent.

"So it is crucial that people know what to look out for and that they seek advice from a health professional sooner rather than later.

"A mouth ulcer that does not heal within three weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth or head and neck area, can all be potential signs of mouth cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes occurring inside your mouth.

"If you keep a lookout for these symptoms and notice anything out of the ordinary, please speak to your dentist or a doctor.

“By encouraging a greater understanding about the early warning signs and symptoms, the lifestyle factors which increase our risk, and recognising where to go if we notice anything unusual inside our mouth, we can detect mouth cancer early.

"This will not only improve our chances of beating it but will also reduce the amount of invasive surgery needed to treat it.”