28 October 2018

November and Mouth Cancer Action Month are right around the corner which means the return of Blue Wednesday on 14 November.

Leading health charity, the Oral Health Foundation, is encouraging dental practices across the country to truly get involved with the spirit of the campaign and help raise awareness of mouth cancer.

Whether it’s a gesture as big as wearing a blue outfit with bright blue lipstick, or as small as wearing a Blue Ribbon Appeal badge, show your support for the campaign on Blue Wednesday.

Getting involved on the day will not only promote the importance of being mouthaware but also serve as a sign of support for those who have been affected by the disease.

Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, believes that with the backing of the dental profession, Blue Wednesday 2018 can be the most successful one to date in sharing key information around mouth cancer.

Dr Carter says: “On Blue Wednesday, you can play a huge part in aiding us in our efforts to raise awareness and encourage the public to take action against mouth cancer.

“Year-on-year, we continue to see mouth cancer rates rise and this is an urgent problem that we need to address urgently.

“Communicating information to patients and the public about risk factors and early warning signs of mouth cancer can help prevent more people from being effected by this awful disease.”

Each year, more than 7,600 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each year and nearly a third of that number lose their lives to the disease.

“Getting involved with Blue Wednesday couldn’t be easier,” Dr Carter adds.

“You can wear something blue, put on a Blue Ribbon Appeal badge, hang up blue bunting in your practice and encourage others to do that same on 14 November.

“By taking part in Blue Wednesday and Mouth Cancer Action Month, you can help us spread key, life-saving messages to as many people as possible and save lives.”

There are so many ways for you to show your support on the day. Go through your wardrobe and create a blue outfit or visit a local charity shop and see what blue items you can find there.

In the past people have worn blue wigs, blue jewellery or even painted their faces blue. Try to be as creative as possible and don’t forget that you can find plenty of blue items to wear, like the plastic blue lips and blue lipstick, in our online shop.

You can also find Blue Ribbon Appeal Badges in our online shop and they are a fantastic way to complete any outfit you choose to wear on the day and by purchasing one you are contributing vital funds in aid of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Don’t forget to let us know what you’re getting up to on the day by putting pictures on Twitter using #BlueWednesday and #MouthCancerAction. You can also send an email to [email protected] telling us what events you’re planning for the day.