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UCF Promote Mouth Cancer Awareness Week
By Derval Keenan, 11/28/2005 11:25:05 AM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is encouraging people to be aware of the causes and symptoms of mouth cancer in the run-up to Mouth Cancer Awareness Week 13th 19th November.
Mouth cancer is a malignant growth, which can occur in or on any part of the mouth, tongue or lips. It can often present itself as a painless ulcer that does not heal or less often, a red or white patch in the mouth.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, said, Mouth cancer, like many other cancers, can be treated more effectively if it is detected at an early stage. A persons survival chances can increase by 40% if the lesion is treated early.
As early diagnosis is difficult for mouth cancer, we need to make people aware that it can be prevented through lifestyle choices.
Although anyone can contract mouth cancer, certain groups of people are more at risk than others. The combination of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can mean that some people are more than 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than others.
Giving up smoking is the first and most important step to reducing the risk of developing mouth cancer and UCF offers an award-winning smoking cessation support service to help people successfully stop smoking.
The centralised smoking cessation service is supported by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board and is free and confidential. Weekly smoking cessation advice clinics are provided in a number of GP practices as well as leisure centres, community centres and workplaces, at a time convenient to smokers who want to give up.
Bernie Neeson, Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator at UCF explains, The smoking cessation support clinics are very informal and offer individual and group support. Those attending find out more about smoking habits, tips for giving up and how to cope with cravings.
Stopping smoking is a big challenge but many people have been successful by using support from the smoking cessation clinics. We have provided almost 30 clinics in the last year and have helped over 50% of those attending to stop smoking within four weeks.
Anyone wanting to attend the smoking cessation support clinics can either be referred by their GP or can contact Bernie Neeson (028 9049 2007) for information on their nearest support clinic.
UCF has also delivered extensive training for dentists in smoking cessation techniques. Gerry said, Dentists are now best placed to advise people how to prevent mouth cancer by stopping smoking. They are also able to detect early warning signs of mouth cancer during a routine check-up therefore it is vital that people regularly visit their dentist.
Anyone who is concerned about mouth cancer should make an appointment with their dentist, GP or contact the Ulster Cancer Foundations freephone helpline which is a confidential service, staffed by a team of specialist cancer nurses on 0800 783 3339, available 9am 5pm, Monday Friday.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, UCF
Tel. 028 9049 2007 / 07810 371118
Derval Keenan, PR and Events Officer, UCF
Tel. 028 9049 2007 / 07812 525531
Notes to Editors
Ø Smoking cessation clinics are currently being held at the following venues:
North & West Belfast
174 Trust, Duncairn Avenue, Tuesday, 6.30 8.30pm
Clifton Street Surgery, Wednesday, 2.00-5.00pm
Springvale Training Centre, Wednesday, 7.00-9.00pm
Ligoniel Health Centre, Friday, 2.00-6.00pm
South & East Belfast
Ballybeen Womens Centre, Wednesday, 6.30-8.30pm
Malone Lodge Hotel, Wednesday, 7.00-9.00pm
May Street, Thursday, 12.30-2pm
St. Georges Market, Friday morning
Down & Lisburn
Lisburn Health Centre, Monday, 2.00-6.00pm
Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn, Tuesday, 6.00-7.30pm
Footprints Womens Centre, Poleglass, Thursday, 12.00-2.00pm
Glenavy Family Practice, Friday, 3.00-6.00pm
Ulster Community & Hospitals Trust
Comber Leisure Centre, Tuesday, 7.00-8.30pm
Donaghadee Health Centre, Thursday, 2.00-6.00pm
Northfield House, Donaghadee, 3rd Thursday every month
Ø For further information on smoking cessation clinics please contact Bernie Neeson, UCF, Tel. 028 9049 2007
Ø UCFs provision of the centralised smoking cessation service won the top award at the 2005 Northern Ireland Healthcare Award.
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