Top award for mouth cancer guru

A doctor who says he has a ‘mission to raise awareness' of mouth cancer has won a top award in recognition of his work.

Dr Vinod Joshi – founder of the UK's leading mouth cancer charity, the Mouth Cancer Foundation – earned it for Best Patient Support Initiative at the Pfizer Oncology Awards.

Dr Chris Nutting, President of the British Oncological Association, presented him with his award – and a £1,500 research grant.

Dr Joshi achieved outstanding success through the restorative dentistry oncology clinic initiative to create a patient website and patient support charity.

In January 2002, he launched the UK website to cater for the unmet needs of his patients and similar patients across the nation, focusing on mouth cancer awareness, early Detection and patient information and support.

The unique feature of the members' forum and message board added in 2003 enables patients and carers to offer each other support, advice and encouragement.

The Pfizer Oncology Awards are designed to recognise and reward teams as well as individuals who stand out from their peers – whatever their speciality, level of expertise or position.

Dr Chris Nutting says: ‘As President of the BOA, I am delighted to have chaired the awards again this year. It has been a genuine pleasure for me to review this year's entries. They have all demonstrated a wide range of impressive achievements in oncology care.'

BOA provides a multidisciplinary forum for the presentation and discussion of cancer research and development.

Dr Vinod Joshi said: ‘Being awarded this award means so much. Mouth cancer is such a wicked, cruel disease and its treatment is debilitating. Unfortunately, many people have not heard of mouth cancer and so neglect the early signs; it is my mission to raise awareness of this disease.'

 Posted on : Thu 23rd - Oct - 2008