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10k walk for mouth cancer
17 November 2006
A free 10k walk in aid of the Mouth Cancer Foundation is taking place at 9.
Someone dies from mouth cancer every five hours, and mouth cancers have a higher percentage of death per case than breast, cervical or skin cancer. 13,000 people in the UK are currently diagnosed with the disease, and the mortality rate from this little-known disease is just over 50 per cent, mainly due to late detection.
The aim of the walk is to raise funds, but also awareness, marking the final day of Mouth Cancer Awareness Week. Hundreds of walkers are already signed up, and participants will be offered free screening from King's College London Dental Institute and the UCL Eastman Dental Institute's Oral Medicine department from their mobile screening unit.
Professor Crispian Scully, Dean of the UCL Eastman Dental Institute, commented: "Oral cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world, on the increase and is best combated by avoiding tobacco, alcohol and betel; and by early detection".
Founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation Dr Vinod Josh said: "In its very early stages, mouth cancers can be almost invisible making it easy to ignore. You can improve your chances of survival if the cancer is detected early and rapidly treated. Any abnormality in the mouth, throat or neck that persists for more than three weeks should be checked out. We are offering the public free mouth cancer screening to highlight this neglected cancer."
The walk is open to children and adults of all ages and walking abilities, and everyone is invited to join. It is not a race, and everyone taking part will receive a gift bag including refreshments. Participants may walk, jog or run. There will be prizes available for top individual and team fundraisers as well as top individual and team awareness raisers.
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