Another interesting article - to keep some of you from getting bored

Underfunding means we get it in the neck
Mark Greener wrote in winter 2001 that services for head and neck cancer were not delivering expected improvements due to lack of funding. The article gives an insight into the problems that still face the present service.

Comments , people? How was it for you? Getting better?

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

HI Dr J and all, Yes at the Middlesex they are supposed to get an entire floor of the new building but the way they talk its going to be years before they occupy the building.
I came on today to vent my annoyance.
My teeth are in a bad way and they say they need filling like now I have repeatedly told them put me out and do all of them at once but they tell me no facilities and to get them done at the Eastmans would take alot to organise and time. So I go tomorrow for my first Dentist apointment at the Maxiollfacial Clinic and i am not a happy bunny to say the least. Ther its out !

Dr. Joshi, I do think just the teeniest bit unfair asking for comments on that CSI extract from those of us who have no real insight into the financial politics of the NHS.

I think that most of us realise that research into head and neck cancers are seriously, pssibly because these are not amongst the "popular" cancers.

Certainly very few people of my acquaintance have any awareness of such cancers. In my own case (cancer of the tongue) cancer in that area never entered into my mind. Being a smoker, a person who enjoyed good cognac,and delighted in rich, spicy food I would not have been surprised at lung, stomach or liver cancer. Cancer of the tongue. No, never heard of it!

So,in addition to underfunding of research, monitoring, awareness education now has to be added.

The other things in the article depend on your mood when reading. Are the survival rates good or bad news. 87% 1 year survival - great. 66% 5 year survival - good. Then I think to myself does the old, old saying "There's lies, damned lies, and statistics" apply here.

I surprised that some of the members, cleverer than I, haven't responded.

Hoping that somebody with an analytical mind comes on with some comments.

When you find out the stastics you are by then one of them so why worry.

Hi Paul, couldn't agree more with your comment. As you know that's more or less my philosophy.

Hi
I would just like to add my tuppenceworth, as you have said the popular Cancers seem to take all the "Glory" whilst we of little known fame seat at the back and watch, well lets try to make Mouth Cancer awareness week (9th - 15th November one to make people sit up and listen to our plight, thats why we at Face - Faxhave made our own pin badges (they will be ready for sale on 1st November)and to make them different it is the profile of a face not the "usual" ribbon, We hope to send some to prominent figures and hopefully they will wear them during Mouth Cancer awareness week.

Derek - thanks for your posting. I was beginning to think that it was only Paul and I who had read the article.

Further, congratulations on your badge initiative. I'll have an ask roound and see if I can sell any for you here. I'll only contact you if I get orders up to �10 !!

Thanx for that Pikeman (sorry about the typos) we have only ordered 1000 for the first order to see if they will sell but I have said to the group I would like to keep 100 for sale on the internet so I would really appreciate your :help: we will also be selling various items of clothing with the Face - Fax logo they will hopefully be on sale this Wednesday from our website, the more people that see these logo's the more people will become aware and so aid us all in bringing us into the public eye and that might encourage more spending on face, neck & oral Cancers.

Hi all

for An Analysis of Cancer Research Funding in the UK�see David Blaine gets out! . There is a lot of work to do, I think.

First we need to increase awareness of mouth cancers amongst the public (good work, Derek), then the funding follows.

Best wishes

Vinod :coffee: