Be aware of the smokeless risks Smokeless tobacco products are chewed in paan, with sada and zarda most commonly used in Tower Hamlets, as well as betel nut (known as gua or supari) and spices, flavourings and sweeteners. www.mouthcancer.org Did you know? Tobacco is the main cause of mouth or oral cancer, but alcohol consumption and a poor diet can also contribute. Health STAFF at Green Light Pharmacy in Bromley-by- Bow turned their focus to all things pink last month as part of a day of fundraising for breast cancer awareness and research. Patients visiting the pharmacy based at St Andrew’s walk-in health centre were given information about how to spot some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and had an opportunity to ask questions and donate to breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Campaign. In pink for breast cancer awareness are pharmacy staff Thanzia, Tanya, Amil, Sunny and Paras. Make sure you know the signs BY ANNA WILSON HEALTH experts will be raising awareness about mouth cancer during November and providing advice and support to residents. Tower Hamlets public health team are urging residents to look out for the signs and symptoms of the disease and encouraging them to see their dentist if they have any concerns. Rates of mouth cancer are on the rise nationally and more than 6,500 new cases are diagnosed every year in the UK, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths. November has been designated Mouth Cancer Action Month to help draw attention to the need to be aware of the signs. The earlier mouth cancer is detected, the earlier people can receive treatment, increasing chances of survival. Those over the age of 50 are most at risk, although new research from the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) is showing increased cases amongst the younger population. Tobacco is the main cause, but alcohol consumption and a poor diet are also contributing factors. The BDHF is reporting a more diverse group at risk than ever before, with a steady increase of women contracting the disease, particularly among South Asian communities due to the use of smokeless tobacco. Dr Somen Banerjee, director of Public Health Tower Hamlets, said: “It is very important to know the signs of mouth cancer and check your mouth regularly for white or red patches, numbness of the tongue or mouth and any lumps in any part of your mouth or neck. “At least 75 per cent of mouth cancers could be prevented by stopping tobacco and reducing alcohol consumption so making healthy improvements to your lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk.” If you have any concerns, visit your dentist. If you would like help in stopping tobacco, call the Bangladeshi Stop Tobacco Project on 7882 8669 (women) or 7882 8660 (men). News in brief Have your say RESIDENTS are invited to have their say about hospital services at a listening event hosted by independent watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The event will help Barts Health NHS Trust to identify areas of improvement in its acute hospitals including the Royal London, London Chest and Mile End hospitals. Starting at 6.30pm on Wednesday, November 6, the meeting is at Tarling East Community Centre, Martha Street, Shadwell. Mental health event THE relationship between the police and people with mental health problems was discussed at an event hosted by East London NHS Foundation Trust. Speakers included Patrick Vernon, a trustee for Social Action for Health, Richard Harwin from the health trust and police officers Tony Hyland and Deborah Amore. Support on your doorstep DOCTORS in Tower Hamlets are reminding residents to use their local pharmacy for advice a n d t r e a t m e n t o f common winter ailments. Dr Sam Everington, chair of NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group and a GP, said: “If you are ill but you don’t think you need to see a doctor, pharmacies can be a really useful first port of call.” He said that last year one in every ten A&E visits could have been dealt with by a pharmacist, which meant hundreds of thousands of people sat in A&E for hours when a nearby pharmacist could have seen them within minutes and given them the advice and treatment they needed. “On behalf of local GPs, I encourage you to consider using your pharmacist first for your health needs – it could save you a great deal of time,” he added Ask Your Pharmacist Week, runs from this Monday, November 4. Last year’s campaign saw an increase in the public’s awareness of pharmacy services. 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