“The award is a recognition of the vision and perseverance of all those patients, carers and the many supporters who have sustained the vision I had for the charity from its inception and grown it over the years. It is a big tribute to them. Without them, we would not have got this far. Sadly, some are no longer with us. God bless them. Congratulations to all”.
Dr Vinod Joshi - Founder, Mouth Cancer Foundation
The Founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation, Dr Vinod Joshi, has been awarded an honorary Office of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (OBE), by her Majesty, the Queen, in recognition of services to fighting cancer. It is 20 years ago this month that Dr Joshi began his journey to save and improve lives by creating the charity’s first website, 2 ½ years before turning the ‘ahead of its time’, successful web portal, into a registered charity. Dedicated to raising awareness, educating and promoting the early detection of mouth cancer as well as supporting those affected by it, Dr Joshi set up the Restorative Dentistry Oncology Clinics’ Mouth Cancer Awareness website to complement the work he was doing at the clinics he ran at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford and Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. The forum in the early days created a network of support for head and neck cancer patients going through treatment. The website experienced phenomenal growth, especially the message board facility which became a robust online support group. This convinced the NHS Consultant to establish the Mouth Cancer Foundation in June 2004, a not-for-profit organisation with the intention of becoming a registered charity, which happened in May 2005.
Dr Joshi says "My work as an NHS Consultant in Restorative Dentistry included Maxillofacial Prosthodontics which is the rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients using prostheses and providing the supportive care needed following their side-effects from their treatments. I created a support network for these patients from my hospital work and it evolved into the Mouth Cancer Foundation charity, which provides support for mouth cancer patients, their carers and information for dentists and the public to facilitate early diagnosis of these cancers and save lives. The charity also organises the annual Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk in Hyde Park, London, the only charity walk for mouth cancer awareness and support, as a memorial for lost loved ones and a tribute to patients and their carers”.
The charity continues to grow from strength to strength with patients, carers and survivors at the heart of all activities. A large part of the charity’s remit today is also educating dental and medical professionals on the early detection of head and neck cancers. Dr Joshi has certainly created an amazing legacy!
About Mouth Cancer
Mouth Cancer is the general term given to the variety of malignant tumours that develop in the mouth, (oral cavity). The Mouth Cancer Foundation promotes awareness of all head and neck cancers i.e. throat, (pharynx), voice box (larynx), salivary glands, nose, paranasal, sinuses, lips and skin.
- 1 person every 3 hours is lost to mouth cancer.
- Over 8300 new cases in the UK each year.
- Each year over 2700 lives are lost to mouth cancer.
- Worldwide mouth cancer affects 6500,000 per year.
- Mouth cancer is twice as common in men as women.
- 75% of cases occur in the over 55 age group.
Detected early there is an excellent chance of complete cure!
Oral cancers are often painless so in addition it is important to be aware of the general signs and symptoms of mouth cancer which include:
- An ulcer or white or red patch anywhere in the mouth that does not heal within 3 weeks.
- A lump or swelling anywhere in the mouth, jaw or neck that persists for more than 3 weeks.
- Difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue.
- Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat.
- A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than 6 weeks.
- Unexplained loosening of teeth with no dental cause.
Risk Factors include:
- Tobacco use is considered the main cause of mouth cancer.
- Drinking alcohol regularly, especially spirits, increases the risk four-fold.
- Drinkers and smokers are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
- Poor diet and social deprivation is linked to a third of all cancer cases.
- The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main risk factor within the next decade. It is already accounting for many new cases in women and the young who traditionally were unlikely to get the disease.
- Exposure to the sun is a cause of skin cancer which can affect the lips and face.
More information about Mouth Cancer is available at the Mouth Cancer Foundation web site www.mouthcancerfoundation.org or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Instagram @mouthcancer, Facebook Mouth Cancer Foundation, Twitter @mouthcancerMCF and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/mouthcancercharity/videos
