Head and neck cancer often slips under the radar, yet there are 34 new diagnoses and 11 deaths in the UK every day. For Mouth Cancer Action Month, we helped The University of Sheffield and The Swallows show that more must be done to spot it, amid reports that a lack of NHS dentist appointments means mouth cancers are being missed. A professor from the university's School of Clinical Dentistry, the founder and chief executive of The Swallows and a well-known TV presenter who has lived with the disease went on air across a radio day of interviews. The campaign secured 6 items of radio coverage reaching 1.6 million listeners on BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio Tees.
6Items of coverage
1.6 millionCombined reach
43m 54sTime on air
Coverage highlights
BBC Radio NewcastleBBC radio
BBC Radio SheffieldBBC radio
BBC Radio TeesBBC radio
Listen
BBC Radio Newcastle · 6m 34s
0:00 / 6m 34s
BBC Radio Sheffield · 14m 58s
0:00 / 14m 58s
The story
The University of Sheffield and The Swallows, Mouth Cancer Action Month
The aim
The University of Sheffield and The Swallows wanted to show more must be done to spot head and neck cancer in the UK, and profile their research and support.
The message
Head and neck cancer kills 11 people in the UK every day and most cases are detected late, yet up to 88% are preventable, so knowing the symptoms and having regular dental checkups is vital.
The angle
Head and neck cancer often slips under the radar, yet there are 34 new UK diagnoses and 11 deaths every day, and cases have risen by more than a third since the 1990s with little improvement in survival. Reports suggest a lack of NHS dentist appointments means mouth cancers are being missed.
On air
A professor from the University of Sheffield's School of Clinical Dentistry, the founder and chief executive of head and neck cancer charity The Swallows, and a well-known TV presenter who has lived with the disease
The result
6 items of coverage reaching 1.6 million, including BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Tees.
About Mouth Cancer Action Month
Mouth Cancer Action Month is run every November by the Oral Health Foundation, a UK charity. It aims to raise awareness of mouth cancer by explaining the risk factors and early warning signs and encouraging people to get checked. Stations plan their coverage of it in advance, which makes it a strong hook for a broadcast PR campaign.
Planning Mouth Cancer Action Month for 2027?
Mouth Cancer Action Month next runs through November 2027. Talk to the team about a broadcast PR campaign that gets your spokesperson on radio and TV.
