Mouth Cancer Action Month 2024 – Toolkit for Managers

November is Mouth Cancer Action Month. It’s a chance to raise awareness of the disease, and to support and educate your employees on one of the most worrying issues in dental health.

Mouth cancer cases are rising in the UK¹. However, as little as 17% of people can identify key signs and symptoms, and knowledge of the main risk factors is as low as 9%².

Being clear on the symptoms can be lifesaving. The main symptoms include³:

• A lump or enlarged lymph nodes in your neck.
• Unexplained bleeding in your mouth.
• Trouble moving your jaw.
• An ulcer in your mouth that isn’t healing.
• A lump in your mouth or on your lip that doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks.

We have created this toolkit so you can signpost your employees to the advice and support they need.

How to support your employees with Mouth Cancer

The earlier mouth cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment can be. Dentists can spot the early signs during routine appointments, so it’s important that your employees prioritise regular check-ups. You should allow your employees the flexibility to attend these appointments.

However, if the worst should happen, be ready to support your workforce.

Mouth cancer can affect people in several ways. If diagnosed, employees are likely to need time off work for treatment and appointments, or even time to understand their feelings.

The stage of cancer and treatment required will impact the support they need. Some might want to carry on working, which may entail changes to their job or reduced hours. Others are likely to need time off for a while, until they are ready to return⁴.

How can Bupa support?

Share the following information and resources with your team.

Resources to share with your employees:

• Our webpage all about mouth cancer. Click here.
• Our video to answer your oral cancer questions. Click here.
• Bupa cancer support hub. Click here.

Reminders for your insured employees

• Use Finder to book a check-up at the nearest Bupa Dental Care practice, with guaranteed availability. Click here.
• For speedy answers on dental worries, they can call Bupa Oral HealthLine on 0808 304 9660.
• If the worst should happen, Bupa provides your employees with unlimited oral cancer cover, and we don’t apply a wait time for treatment, either^*.

Resources for line managers:

• Managers guide to supporting employees with cancer. Click here.

Additional Mouth Cancer Action Month resources:

• Oral Health Foundation – Mouth Cancer Action Month 2024. Click here.
• Mouth Cancer Foundation – Mouth Cancer Action Month 2024. Click here.
• How to check your mouth. Click here.

^*We do not cover oral cancer that was diagnosed or for which you had symptoms or investigations before your cover start date. If your group is transferring your dental insurance from another provider to us, we’ll provide continuous cover so long as you had dental insurance via the previous provider and your policy covered against oral cancer.

¹Dentistry, 2023.

²Mouth Cancer Foundation, 2022.

³Bupa, 2024.

⁴MacMillan, 2024.