RESIDENTS in Newton Abbot are being urged to have a free mouth cancer check when a mobile dental van rolls into the town tomorrow.

Specialists will be on hand to provide free screening to raise awareness of the disease and its signs and symptoms.

The van will be near the Clock Tower in Bank Street from 10am until 3pm.

Sally Lacey, oral health educator for the Special Care Dental Service at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘The mouth cancer checks are free and a perfect opportunity for people to get their oral health checked as well as getting information and advice on how to maintain good oral health.’

Each year more than 6,000 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer and half of that will lose their life to the disease.

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.

Ms Lacey added: ‘Screening for mouth cancer is quick, easy and typically consists of an examination of the tongue, gums, lips, inside cheeks, and the roof and floor of the mouth.

‘Anyone can attend the drop-in sessions and if you haven’t had a check-up with your dentist recently I would strongly recommend coming along to one of the drop-in sessions.’