April 1, 2025
Oral Mucositis Awareness Day
What is Oral Mucositis?
Oral Mucositis (cancer mouth sores) is a side effect of cancer treatment that affects 40-75% of people receiving chemotherapy, 75-100% of those undergoing transplants, and almost 100% of people going through radiation treatment for head and neck cancers.
Why does it matter?
Oral Mucositis is one of the most painful and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment. However, when asked about cancer mouth sores, patients consistently report they lack of information, and at times, support from their medical team.*
*Survey conducted through Savvy Cooperative’s patient population and focus groups facilitated by Patient Authentic.
"When it came to mouth sores I was completely on my own." - Michele Tschirhart
If unmanaged, cancer mouth sores can quickly progress into large patches of ulcers and can lead to:
Inability to eat, drink, swallow and speak
Malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss
Cancer treatment interruptions
Emergency hospitalizations
Tube feedings
Use of opioid analgesics
Reduced quality of life
Added costs
How Oral Mucositis affects real people:
“I couldn’t eat”
“I couldn’t even enjoy Taco Tuesday with my family. My 3 year old would ask me “Mommy, why aren’t you eating? Why can’t you take medicine to make it better” - Sabrina Skiles
“I couldn’t sleep”
"Mouth sores, throat sores, cracked lips, and tongue lesions have been awful and a constant throughout my 5+ years of fighting cancer. At one point they were so bad I couldn’t even sleep." - J.J. Singleton
“I felt hopeless”
“I felt hopeless, it was one of those things that made me feel sorry for myself, and made me pity myself.” - Abby Shoenfelt
Raise Awareness
Your participation counts! Whether you are a patient, friend, family member, healthcare provider, or caregiver, you can help raise awareness in just 1 minute.
Share your story.
Your story can help others feel more comfortable asking for help managing mucositis and other side effects before they become severe. Oral mucositis is #MoreThanASore
