Health professionals and mouth cancer - Pharmacies

A local pharmacyThe role of pharmacies

Pharmacies have a unique role to play in our Open Up to Mouth Cancer campaign. Most people visit a pharmacy every once in a while. And pharmacists have contact with people from ‘hard to reach’ groups who might not see any other health professionals.

Pharmacy staff can help raise awareness of both the early warning signs of mouth cancer and strategies to reduce your risk.

Oral health products

Most people naturally see the pharmacy as their first point of call when they have a problem in their mouth. Your customers may routinely request mouthwashes or gels for the treatment of ulcers, sores and pain in the mouth.

The majority of these mouth complaints will clear up in a couple of weeks. But if changes in the mouth persist for longer than three weeks then they could be an early warning sign of mouth cancer.

Ask customers purchasing mouthwashes and topical oral pain relief whether they have had a mouth condition for longer than three weeks. If they have, then suggest they see a dentist or GP as soon as possible.

Public education for at risk groups

Pharmacists are often aware of customers who smoke, chew tobacco, drink heavily or don't visit the dentist. Mouth cancer is more common amongst people who:

  • drink heavily and smoke
  • chew betel/areca nut and/or tobacco (you may notice the red staining on these customers’ teeth)
  • are over 45

If appropriate, supply information about the early warning signs and risk factors of mouth cancer to these customers when they visit your pharmacy.

Health promotion

The NHS Community Pharmacy Contract classes the promotion of healthy lifestyles as an essential service. This means that your are contractually obliged to be involved in both prescription linked interventions and health promotion campaigns.

The Open Up To Mouth Cancer campaign provides a new angle for you to approach common health promotion topics. Stopping smoking or chewing tobacco and cutting down on alcohol greatly reduces your risk of mouth cancer.

Useful resources

Cancer Research UK have many relevant publications including:

  • mouth cancer information sheets for pharmacists
  • mouth cancer leaflets
  • smoking and cancer leaflets
  • leaflets and posters linked to our Reduce the Risk campaign

Most of these publications are available free of charge.