A Highland oral surgeon has urged the public to check out their teeth, gums and tongues as part of Mouth Cancer Action Month.
The national campaign encourages anyone with strange symptoms to speak to a health professional as soon as possible, as the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more positive the positive the prognosis is likely to be.
Nigel Pendy, an NHS Orkney surgeon, said: “A good outcome is more likely if patients get things checked out early.
“Clearly, if you are in any doubt about a lump in your mouth, a sore mouth of white or red patches in your mouth, then please visit your dentist or your doctor to have it examined.”
Paul Turner, from Orkney, was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2013.
He said that after discovering an odd sore in his mouth and a chipped tooth, he thought it would be best to go see his doctor.
And now he is glad he did.
Mr Turner said: “My denist was sufficiently concerned about the sore to refer me on the same day to the oral surgeon at Balfour hospital.
“He immediately took a sample and some photographs and sent these off to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“After three weeks, cancer was confirmed, and I was advised of the likely treatment I would need.
“Had I left the sore on my tongue longer, the cancer, the treatment and the prognosis would have been less favourable.”
For more information visit www.mouthcancer.org