People who have survived mouth cancer are now able to share their experience with those who have been recently diagnosed, giving them piece of mind and confidence, thanks to the work of a doctor from Bradford.

Dr Vinod Joshi, a consultant in restorative dentistry who works for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, set up the Mouth Cancer Foundation in 2004 in order to help patients share knowledge and advice on dealing with the surgery connected to mouth cancer and the side effects it causes.

Dr Joshi, said: “During the course of my work I noticed patients needed more information so I started a website because patients wanted to know more from people who had been trough mouth cancer treatment. The patients write an account of their experience and I post it on the website for others to see.

“It has gone beyond that now, one woman has put together a cook book, with recipes for people who have survived mouth cancer, this is particularly useful because certain types of surgery can mean people are left with difficulty swallowing. We hold an annual walk in Hyde Park in London to raise awareness of mouth cancer and we have also managed to have an influence in other parts of the world. People from Australia, America and India have been contributing to live web-chats which are available for people to take part in on the Mouth Cancer Foundation website.”

In June Dr Joshi was nominated for a Health and Social care hero award by people who have benefited from the work he does, which has all been organised in his free time.

For more detail on mouth cancer visit: www.mouthcancerfoundation.org .