SPECIALISTS are preparing to offer free mouth examinations, in a bid to clamp down on cases of oral cancer.

Doctors at Blackburn Infirmary are keen to raise awareness of mouth cancer, which experts believe may be on the increase in young people, particularly women.

Consultants at the hospital will be drilling home the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and prompt treatment to GPs, dentists and other health workers during National Oral Cancer Awareness Week which starts on Monday.

The event has been organised by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and will offer East Lancashire people worried about sores in their mouths a free examination.

The Blackburn hospital is one of more than 100 specialist maxillofacial (mouth, jaw and face) units which will be supporting the nationwide campaign.

Dr John Lowry, consultant maxillofacial surgeon at the infirmary, said most mouth conditions were not serious and there was no need to worry about every small sore or ulcer.

But he said: "Any problem in the mouth that shows no sign of healing after two or three weeks needs a professional opinion.

"Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are ideally qualified to assess and treat mouth cancer, often in combination with other specialists such as radiotherapists.

"Modern surgical treatment may involve sophisticated reconstruction of the mouth, face and jaws to minimise the disfigurement so often feared by many patients."

For a free mouth examination contact the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Blackburn Infirmary on 01254 263555.

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