Beaconhill Smile Foundation and Lakeshore Cancer Centre have moved for increased awareness on oral cancer in Africa.
Beaconhill, renowned for dental care and other health services in Nigeria and America, has held its maiden ‘oral cancer awareness walk’ in partnership with the cancer centre to mark this year’s International Oral Cancer Awareness month.
The four-kilometre walk commenced as early as 7:00a.m., from Beaconhill Smile Clinic to Lakeshore Cancer Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
It was followed by an oral cancer sensitisation on causes, preventive measures, early detection needs and treatment of the disease.
Also, there were free oral and breast cancer checks at the centre.
Managing Director, Beaconhill Smile Group, Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, reiterated the importance of early detection of oral cancer.
He listed some of its major causes to include alcohol and tobacco intake, poor dental hygiene and exposure to extreme sunlight.
Akinbobola said if the disease is detected early, chances of survival are much higher, pegging it around 90 per cent.
“Beaconhill Smile Foundation, therefore, aims to increase awareness of the disease nationwide, including risk factors,” he said.
