The British Dental Health Foundation has announced the launch of Mouth Cancer Action Month will take place at the Houses of Parliament.

Held at Westminster on Oct. 25, 2011, the launch will signal the start of the campaign. Supported by Denplan, the campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of a disease that could claim 30,000 lives in the next decade.

Hosted by Parliamentary sponsor, Rt. Hon. Sir Paul Beresford MP, a gathering will include speeches from some of the industry’s leading experts, including the Foundation's Chief Executive, Dr. Nigel Carter, as well as President Daniel Davis, Dr. Saman Warnakulasuriya, and former mouth cancer sufferer Cllr Sally Bragg.

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The Foundation estimates that some 6,000 new cases a year are diagnosed in the U.K. On average, one person dies every five hours from the disease.

Dr. Carter highlighted the importance of early detection in the battle against the disease.

“Getting people to talk about mouth cancer is incredibly important," he said. "We have had a tremendous response to the campaign, particularly in the last couple of years, but we must work harder to ensure this year's campaign can build on that success.

“The launch will be a fitting way to kick-start the month. It is a breathtaking setting of which to stage such an event, and I hope to see many of the well-known figures in dentistry there--from members of the trade press to those involved directly in the profession; all of who can help raise awareness of mouth cancer.”

For more information, go to www.dentalhealth.org.

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