Blue is the colour as Rugby Mayor backs mouth cancer awareness event

Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Sally Bragg, has dressed in blue to show her support for a Rugby-based charity's latest campaign.
Cllr Sally Bragg wearing blue to support the campaign NNL-161111-172646001Cllr Sally Bragg wearing blue to support the campaign NNL-161111-172646001
Cllr Sally Bragg wearing blue to support the campaign NNL-161111-172646001

The Oral Health Foundation is running Mouth Cancer Action Month and is staging Blue Wednesday next week, on November 16.

Cllr Bragg is urging Rugby residents to get involved to help spread awareness of mouth cancer.

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She had mouth cancer 18 years ago and that is why, during her mayoral year she has chosen the Foundation as one of her two nominated charities,alongside Rugby Area Talent Trust.

She said: “Since I was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 1998 public awareness of the disease has increased but it hasn’t grown enough. Therefore, I am calling on everybody to get involved in Mouth Cancer Action Month and raise public awareness of the major signs and symptoms of mouth cancer so that we can catch cases early.

“My diagnosis came about due to my own persistence in getting a mouth ulcer which hadn’t healed over three weeks checked out. Initially I was told that it was fine but I knew something wasn’t right and I managed to persuade my dentist to refer me to a specialist, looking back this probably saved my life.

“I’ll never forget the pain I went through at the time but I was given another chance, and I am making the most of it.

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“A trip to the dentist saved my life and early detection gives a better survival rate and that is why I’m urging everybody to get involved in this campaign.

“Dress in blue on Wednesday, November 16 and do something to help spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer. Remember a trip to the dentist could save your life and make an appointment immediately you suspect you have any symptoms of mouth cancer.”

The major signs of mouth cancer are mouth ulcers which do not heal within a couple of weeks, red or white patches in the mouth and any unusual swellings or lumps in the head or neck area.

You can read more of Cllr Bragg’s story at: www.mouthcancer.org/patient-stories/sally-bragg/