Pompey legend Alan Knight is helping in the fight against mouth cancer.
The former Blues goalkeeper – who made a club-record 801 appearances – has teamed up with Pompey Sports and Education Foundation and staff at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham to raise awareness of the disease.
The football club and staff from the Portsmouth hospital are promoting Mouth Cancer Action Month to encourage people to take the necessary preventative steps.
Most people have heard of cancer affecting parts of the body such as the lungs or breasts. However, cancer can occur in the mouth, where the disease can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat.
Knight joined staff at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, who were answering questions and giving out information on the condition.
He said: “I was flagged up as being at risk while visiting my dentist for a routine check up, but a simple procedure put my mind at rest.
“We all need to be aware of this disease and the symptoms it has.”
Hospital staff will also be on hand at Pompey’s home game against Leicester on Saturday to help raise awareness of the disease.
Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer, whether they have their own teeth or not, although it is more common in people over 40, particularly men. But research has shown that mouth cancer is becoming more common in younger people and women.
There are, on average, almost 6,000 new cases of mouth cancer diagnosed in the UK each year and the number of new cases of mouth cancer is on the increase.
Taking simple measures such as not smoking or chewing tobacco, gutkha or paan; drinking less alcohol and having a healthier 'low meat, low fat' diet, rich in vegetables and fruit can reduce the risk of getting mouth cancer.
Professor Peter Brennan, Consultant of Oral & Maxillofacial, Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon, at Queen Alexandra Hospital, said: “Mouth Cancer is not a condition that has a high profile, but the number of cases is continuing to grow.
“More women are contracting the disease and there's an increasing risk of younger people being affected.
“It is really important that everyone knows the warning signs for mouth cancer and if there is any doubt, get it checked by your GP.”
Mouth Cancer Action Month runs for the whole of November and is supported by the British Dental Health Foundation.
The top eight symptoms of mouth cancer are:
1. An ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not heal within three weeks
2. A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw or neck that persists for more than three weeks
3. A difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the tongue or jaw
4. A swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
5. A numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
6. A feeling that something is caught in the throat
7. A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than six weeks
8. An unexplained loosening of teeth with no obvious dental cause