Blue Wednesday is a dedicated moment of awareness during Mouth Cancer Action Month, inviting everyone to pause, reflect, and act. It falls in mid-November and carries a simple yet powerful message: a 45-second self-check for mouth cancer can save your life. It’s a gentle reminder that the small act of looking after your own health can create lasting impact.
What is Blue Wednesday?
Blue Wednesday is part of the wider Mouth Cancer Action Month, organised by the Oral Health Foundation. The day is all about raising awareness of mouth and lip cancers, and most importantly, encouraging people to perform a quick self-examination. It’s a grassroots movement that blends education with visual impact—people wear blue, share “blue lip selfies,” and talk openly about mouth cancer, helping remove the stigma and encouraging early detection through conversation.
When is Blue Wednesday?
In 2026, Blue Wednesday takes place on Wednesday, November 12. It typically occurs in mid-November, during the heart of Mouth Cancer Action Month. The exact date shifts annually, so it is wise to mark your calendar early and plan your participation in advance.
Why Blue Wednesday Matters
Mouth cancer diagnosis has nearly doubled in the UK over the last 20 years. Around 8,864 people were diagnosed in the UK last year, and tragically 3,034 lives were lost. Most cases occur in people aged over 55, though younger individuals can be affected too. Because treatments can be more successful when the disease is caught early, raising awareness is vital. Blue Wednesday combines awareness with a visual cue—going blue—to spark life-saving self-checks and conversations.
How to Get Involved in Blue Wednesday
Getting involved is simple, positive and adaptable for individuals, families, workplaces or dental practices:
- Do your self-check — Spend 45 seconds checking for signs like non-healing ulcers, red or white patches, unusual lumps or swellings on your tongue, gums, inside the cheeks, lips, roof or floor of the mouth, tonsils, and neck.
- Wear something blue — Pick a blue wig, lipstick, ribbon badge, or even paint yourself blue to visually show support and spark conversations.
- Share a #BlueWednesday or #BlueLipSelfie — Post your blue look on social media with one of the campaign hashtags and a simple mouth-cancer awareness message.
- Host an awareness event — In clinics or workplaces, distribute posters or hold short mouth-cancer education sessions; free self-check demonstration is a powerful tool.
- Print resources — Use downloadable visual aids such as “Check Your Mouth,” “Where to Look” and “What to Look For” to inform and guide your community.
- Bake Something Blue — Combine fundraising with awareness by baking blue items and encouraging conversation and support via social sharing.
History and Evolution
Blue Wednesday emerged as a daytime spotlight within Mouth Cancer Action Month, which the Oral Health Foundation has mobilised for over two decades. The tradition of “going blue” was chosen for its vibrancy and visibility, and it quickly became a popular and accessible way for communities and clinics to engage. Creative expressions—blue lips, badges, selfies and group blue outfits—helped boost awareness and make the campaign memorable.
Noteworthy Facts About Blue Wednesday
- A quick, 45-second self-examination has the power to save lives by catching mouth cancer early.
- Nearly 9,000 UK diagnoses happened last year, with over 3,000 lives lost; incidence has risen over the past 20 years.
- More than three-quarters of cases affect people aged 55 and older, though anyone can be at risk.
- Blue items—lipstick, wigs or badges—are inexpensive yet impactful tools that spark conversations about mouth health.
- Dental professionals and communities using Blue Wednesday to actively encourage mouth health can help save lives through early detection.
Hashtags
#BlueWednesday, #BlueLipSelfie, #MouthCancerAction
Links
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