New online resource to help people with Oral Mucositis launched

From today, a new resource is available to help people with Oral Mucositis: http://www.mouthsmadegood.com. Oral Mucositis (OM) is a side effect of cancer therapy and is characterised by a red, swollen and ulcerated mouth and tongue. The painful condition, associated with both chemo- and radiotherapy can prevent sufferers from talking and even eating - and in severe cases a feeding tube is sometimes necessary so the patient can get the nutrients required to continue with the cancer therapy. In fact, in a survey of nurses, it was identified as the most debilitating and significant problem associated with cancer therapy.

The new site, sponsored by Caphosol® provides detailed information about the following:

- the condition itself - what are the symptoms and how long will they last?
- the type of people at risk - who is more likely to get OM?
- the consequences of OM
- OM management strategies

A succinct factsheet can also be downloaded at http://www.mouthsmadegood.com/managing-OM.aspx.

The site also enables sufferers and carers to share their experiences, comment and ask questions as well as upload their own video blog to help others in the same situation.

Finally the 'send a smile' page allows people to do just that. Add a smile to one of a number of pictures, or upload your own and forward to a friend to cheer them up.

Iain McGill, President Europe and International at EUSA Pharma said: "Oral Mucositis is a particularly common and often devastating side effect of cancer therapy. We hope we've provided a useful and informative forum, where people can share their own insights and help others overcome this lesser known side effect of cancer treatment."