MOUTH CANCER ACTION WEEK 2008

That this House supports Mouth Cancer Action Week from 16th to 22nd November 2008, run by the British Dental Health Foundation and supported by a number of organisations including the British Dental Association; expresses great concern that there is a death every five hours from oral cancer in the UK and that despite improvements in survival rates among many other cancers, oral cancer still kills 50 per cent. of those who develop the disease; expresses dismay that prevalence of oral cancer among the under 40s is increasing, and that those from socially deprived backgrounds are more likely to die from the disease; recognises the vital role dental professionals play in identifying cancerous lesions early and offering preventative advice; and further calls on the Government to raise awareness among the public, especially among those who smoke and/or drink, those from socially deprived backgrounds, and those from ethnic minority groups, of mouth cancer, its causes, symptoms and the importance of oral screening to improve early diagnosis rates and save lives.