Media Alert Fresh Smile Clinic Named Highest Fundraiser for the Mouth Cancer Foundation
MEDIA ALERT – ‘FRESH SMILE CLINIC’ NAMED HIGHEST FUNDRAISER FOR THE MOUTH CANCER FOUNDATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –THURSDAY 16TH JANUARY 2014
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE -
- MOUTH CANCER WALK PARTICIPANT – SIMON BETTS
To set up an interview please call Media Ambitions on 0208 940 2222.
“Everyone at Fresh Smile Clinic is so pleased and excited to have helped such as a great cause. We hope the money raised will really make a difference.”
Simon Betts, Fresh Smile Clinic
Today, a team from Fresh Smile Clinic was celebrating after being named as one of the top fundraisers for the Mouth Cancer Foundation’s 10KM Awareness Walk.
The walk, which took place on Sunday, 29th September 2013 in London’s Hyde Park, raised a whopping £51,765.50 in total. The team from Fresh Smile Clinic collected £1200 in sponsorship and won a £25 Argos voucher sponsored by Henry Schein.
Team leader Simon Betts; his colleagues Nuzat Zaman, Joanne Speight, Samantha Philips, Liz Wilson, Ester Liptrot, and Dan Punia; and students Ameera and Lamya Zaman have made an impressive contribution to raising awareness of mouth cancer which still remains a relatively unknown disease despite affecting nearly 8000 people in the UK every year.
The Founder of the Mouth Cancer Foundation Dr Vinod Joshi says “The Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk is once again a great success for the charity. The profit from the walk, after costs, will be ploughed into our latest initiative the Mouth Cancer Screening Accreditation Scheme. The scheme accredits dental practices that actively prove they regularly carry out thorough head and neck cancer screenings and operate clearly documented referral pathways with a local specialist department.”
Simon’s team decided to participate in the walk because as dental professionals they understand how important it is to raise awareness of this debilitating disease, educate patients and stress the importance of regular dental checks. Simon says “I would encourage anyone to take part in the Mouth Cancer 10KM Awareness Walk. The walk was a huge achievement. The atmosphere and surroundings made it an enjoyable stroll in the park.”
The charity is indebted to all the fundraisers who came out to support the walk. For more information about the walk, please visit
-ENDS-
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The Mouth Cancer Foundation –
The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity no. 1109298.
The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a charity solely dedicated to supporting people affected by head and neck cancer. Support can play a pivotal role in meeting the psychosocial needs of patients. The Mouth Cancer Foundation’s online and telephone support service has given head and neck cancer patients and families the opportunity to articulate the consequences of their cancer journey and communicate their shared experiences. It is vital that the charity continues to provide free accessible information resources and ensure Mouth Cancer Foundation support is provided to those that need them.
About Mouth Cancer
Around 60,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth cancer over the next decade.
In the UK, 7,700 people were diagnosed with Mouth Cancer in 2011.
Tobacco use is still considered the main cause of mouth cancer. According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of current smokers will die of a tobacco-related illness – including mouth cancer.
Drinking to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer by four times. Those who smoke and drink are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.
Mouth cancer is twice more common in men than in women, though an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with the disease.
Age is another factor, with people over the age of 40 more likely to be diagnosed, though more young people are now being affected than previously.
Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases.
Experts suggest the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main risk factor within the coming decade.
Cancers can occur in any part of the mouth, tongue, lips, and adjacent areas like the throat, salivary glands, pharynx, larynx, sinus, and other sites in the head and neck area.
Symptoms 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.
A difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue.
A 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.
An unexplained loosening of teeth with no dental cause.
More information about Mouth Cancer is available at the Mouth Cancer Foundation web site or by emailing