THE PEOPLE of Tayside are being urged to have a free check as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.

Throughout November, NHS Tayside’s community dental service will be running free checks to highlight the danger of mouth cancer, which kills almost 2000 people a year in the UK.

Early diagnosis can imp-rove survival chances by up to 90% and early warning signs include mouth ulcers which do not heal within three weeks, red and white patches in the mouth and unusual changes in the mouth.

NHS Tayside senior dental officer Gillian Elliott said, “We are delighted to be involved in Mouth Cancer Action Month in Tayside.

“It is vital that people are aware of the risks and are checked regularly for signs of mouth cancer—early detection saves lives.”

The free checks took place at the AK Bell Library and Asda in Perth, Lochee Library, Dundee, and Tesco, Arbroath, yesterday and continue at Asda Milton of Craigie tomorrow and Tesco, Forfar, and Asda Kirkton on Friday.

The Tayside community dental service is also carrying out mouth cancer checks at Perth Prison and Castle Huntly.