The UK public and healthcare professionals' awareness of mouth cancer

As the rate of new mouth cancer diagnoses continues to increase in the UK, awareness of risk factors and signs and symptoms remains low. This paper focuses on studies showing UK public awareness of risk factors, including alcohol, tobacco and human papillomavirus, as well as public understanding of signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. It includes a review of the effectiveness of campaigns in raising awareness of mouth cancer and examples of campaigns targeting other common cancers or risk factors that may provide useful learning ahead of upcoming mouth cancer campaigns. In addition, the awareness of the wider healthcare team and the importance of their role in identifying mouth cancer is explored. Current live campaigns in the UK are highlighted ahead of future initiatives now that the Mouth Cancer Action Charter has been launched and two new coalitions have been established. Key points UK public awareness of mouth cancer risk factors and signs and symptoms remains low, even with an increase in the incidence of mouth cancer. The wider healthcare team's role remains key in identifying early mouth cancer, though there is significant variation in awareness of signs and symptoms. Campaigns to raise public awareness have had mixed success in true behavioural change. The launch of the Mouth Cancer Action Charter and the establishment of two new coalitions provides an opportunity to target this lack of awareness and to implement change.