Blue Wednesday for Mouth Cancer Awareness Day is taking place on 12th November 2025. The focus of this day is to share one simple message: A self-check for mouth cancer takes 45 seconds and can save your life.  

Mouth cancer can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat. Anyone can be affected, including whether they have their own teeth or not. They are more common in people over 40, with statistics showing more than 81% mouth cancers are diagnosed in those over the age of 55. It is also more common in men and up to 90% of all mouth cancers are linked to lifestyle factors, including smoking, use of tobacco based products, alcohol and UV radiation. The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is another major cause of oral cancer. 

Since 2024, individuals diagnosed with mouth cancer has risen from 8,864 people to 10,825 people; this equates to one person in the UK being diagnosed every hour, making it the 10th most common cancer.  

Along with the increase in diagnoses, the death rate has increased from 3,034 to 3,637, this being 10 people every day. The most deadly mouth cancer is cancer of the tongue, accounting for over a third (30%) of all mouth cancer deaths last year. Mouth cancer claims more lives than cervical and testicular cancer combined. 

The Oral Health Foundation provide details of the early warning signs of mouth cancer, noting that individuals should look out for: 

• Long-lasting mouth ulcers 
• Red or white patches 
• Unusual lumps and swelling 

They confirm it is extremely important to conduct a self-check, ensuring to look at: 

• Roof and floor of the mouth 
• Inside the cheeks 
• Gums 
• Tonsils 
• Tongue 
• Lips
• Head and neck 

If you notice anything out of the ordinary whilst conducting a self check, you should contact a dentist or your doctor for a through review of your concerns.  

In July, we noted the importance of head and neck cancers, including a client story of an individual suffering from cancer affecting the tongue base. This individual had raised concerns with his doctor however these were not acted upon until symptoms worsened.  Please see our article to read more on the individual story – World Head and Neck Cancer Day 27 July 2025 – Williamsons Solicitors 

Spotting mouth cancer early is crucial in the survival rates of mouth cancers. It is noted that early detection can increase survival from 50% – 90% and that is why Oral Health Foundation want us to undertake a self-check to prevent unnecessary premature deaths. 

We have assisted a number of clients in respect of medical negligence relating to a delay in mouth cancer diagnosis, which has led to life changing events. Such cases have included tongue cancer and cheek cancer. We have been able to secure substantial sums of compensation to help with their futures. If you or a loved one have suffered from mouth cancer, and you feel that there was a delay in diagnosis or that the treatment was not conducted to an appropriate standard, please contact our Medical Negligence team on 01482 323697 to discuss how we can help.