23 November 2004

Father pledges mouth cancer donation

Photo opportunity 11.45am, Large Lecture theatre, Wednesday 24 November, Dental School, Park Place, Dundee.

A man who lost his 22 year old son to mouth cancer will visit the University of Dundee tomorrow to speak to dental students about the importance of spotting the disease at an early stage.

Dentists are the most likely health professionals to diagnose oral cancer or changes in the mouth when they are checking patients' teeth. 5th year students in the Dental School are studying oral cancer so they are aware of the signs and can diagnose cases.

The students donated £1,000 raised at their annual slave auction to the Ben Walton Trust established in memory of the late Ben Walton. Mike Walton, Ben's father, has decided to give the money back to the dental school for a discretionary fund which is used to support patients with mouth cancer.

Mr Walton said: "I am delighted to have this working relationship with the dental students in Dundee. It is great that these young people are raising awareness of mouth cancer and are studying to help others that may be affected by the disease."

He explains: "Mouth cancer is a very difficult area to raise funding for. The disease is not well known despite of the numbers affected by it. Survival rates are not good so there is less to be publicly positive about than other cancers. Because oral cancer affects the centre of the face, patients have problems with communication and self awareness that can make them reluctant to draw attention to themselves and the cancer."

Mr Walton's relationship with the University started when he spotted the University of Dundee's Professor Graham Ogden's name in a research paper on oral cancer. Mike and Graham now work together on the Scottish Oral Cancer Action Group.

Oral cancer now affects more than 4,300 people annually in the UK with over 1,700 dying of the disease. Incidences are increasing faster than any other major cancer. On average, 50% of cases will survive five years.

Smokers and drinkers - and those in the over 40 age group are particularly at risk, although the incidence of oral cancer is on the increase in younger people. It is approximately twice as high in men as in women Early detection and rapid treatment is vital and can improve the outcome from 50% survival to nearer 90%.

By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk