About the Open Up to Mouth Cancer campaign
What is the Open Up to Mouth Cancer campaign?
'Open Up to Mouth Cancer' is a national campaign run by Cancer Research UK. It launched during Mouth Cancer Awareness Week in November 2005 and ran until the end of 2008. We received funding from the Department of Health.
We were raising the profile of mouth cancer and providing information for both the public and health professionals.
What were the campaign priorities?
Our main priorities were to promote earlier detection of mouth cancer and raise awareness of the causes of the disease. When mouth cancer is found at an early stage, treatment is easier and more likely to be successful.
Most mouth cancer cases are linked to tobacco, betel nut or alcohol use and could be prevented.
You can read more about the importance of this campaign in the why mouth cancer? section.
How were we raising awareness of mouth cancer?
Our campaign was targeted at those groups of people most at risk of developing mouth cancer. We:
- Provide information about mouth cancer through our website, leaflets and posters
- Work with the media to help put awareness of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer and how to detect it earlier on the national agenda
- Work with health professionals to promote earlier diagnosis of mouth cancer
- Support health professionals working on mouth cancer and in related areas at a local level
- Fund mouth cancer research and trials looking at the best ways to encourage the prevention and early detection of mouth cancer
Our pilot projects with high risk communities
The Open Up to Mouth Cancer Campaign also ran three local pilot projects specially designed for higher risk communities in the UK.
The first project was based in Tower Hamlets. Cancer Research UK was raising awareness of mouth cancer amongst the Bangladeshi community living in this East London borough.
The second project was taking place in a neighbouring borough, Newham. We were working with the Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities there to help raise awareness of prevention and early detection of mouth cancer.
The third project was based in Newcastle and Gateshead. This North East England pilot was focusing on the early detection of mouth cancer among people aged over 40 who smoke and drink heavily.
How can we help you?
This website contains easy to understand information about the warning signs of mouth cancer and how to reduce your risk.
If you are a health professional you may be interested in more information on our campaign strategy and campaign materials.