Survivors and mouth cancer experts are urging members of the public to avail of free mouth cancer examinations which are being offered today as part of an initiative to mark Mouth Cancer Awareness Day.

Six people were diagnosed with mouth cancer last year when 3,000 people were examined at Cork and Dublin Dental Schools and Hospitals. Many cases of pre-cancer were also detected and have since been treated.

This year the Irish Dental Association has thrown its full support behind the initiative and as a result free mouth cancer examinations will be available at over 700 participating dental surgeries countrywide.

Dr Eleanor O'Sullivan of the Cork University Dental School and Hospital said the disease had a low profile and people needed to become more aware of it and the attendant risk factors.

"It is not widely known but if you drink and smoke you are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer. This cancer doesn't have the same profile as malignant melanomas, Hodgkins disease or cervical cancers - that's why it is known as the 'Cinderella' of cancers - but it actually kills more people, over one hundred Irish people every year. The examination is straightforward, painless and takes less than five minutes. Follow up appointments will be made for anyone who needs further investigation. I would urge as many people as possible to be screened for the disease Dr O'Sullivan said.

Symptoms of the disease include ulcers that won't heal, white, red or speckled patches, neck lumps or swellings and difficulty swallowing. If the cancer is diagnosed early it greatly improves the chances of a good outcome.

The President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Conor McAlister, said he hoped as many people as possible would be examined.

Roughly 50% of all mouth cancers here are diagnosed at an advanced stage. This can result in more complex treatment with a greater impact on quality of life and overall survival. That is why it is so important that people consult the website www.mouthcancerawareness.ie and arrange for a screening. We are particularly keen to see non regular attenders Dr McAlister said.

Lia Mills, author and mouth cancer survivor urged people not to put off going for an examination. It doesn't take a genius to see that if you give cancer time and room to grow, it will take it. If you have a lump or sore patch in your mouth that doesn't clear within 3 weeks, you should get it checked. 21st September 2011 is the one day in the year when you don't need an appointment and don't have to pay for a free mouth cancer examination Mills said.

Dentists are the only primary health care professionals trained specifically in oral cancer examination. However, only a third of the adult Irish population visits a dentist annually, while less than 50% visit bi-annually. Attendance rates among older adults, medical card holders and those with no natural teeth are even lower.

Mouth Cancer Awareness Day is a joint initiative by the Irish Dental Association, Irish Cancer Society, Dublin Dental University Hospital, Cork Dental University Hospital, the Dental Health Foundation and Mouth, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Ireland.

Anyone who has concerns about mouth cancer can speak with a specialist nurse in confidence by calling the National Cancer Helpline on Freephone 1800 200 700.