FAQs

Walk a total of 10 KM, as many times as you like, on your own or with your family and pets, around the comfort of your own home, garden or local area!  The charity is encouraging as many people as possible to take part in this FREE 10 KM sponsored walk between Friday 1st October to Tuesday 30th November 2021.  This year we are holding the walk throughout Mouth Cancer Action Month to raise as much awareness as possible.  

What is the 10 KM Awareness Walk?

The Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk is designed to increase awareness of mouth cancer, celebrate survivorship, create an opportunity to meet friends, remember lost dear ones, and also have a fun time!

The Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk 2021 will be bigger and better than ever. Historically, this annual event has been held in Hyde Park, London with people travelling from all over the country to take part. Given the pandemic, which has swept across the globe, events in 2021 are forced to take a different route…quite literally. This is a fantastic opportunity to open up the Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk to more people than ever before so this year the Mouth Cancer Foundation is bringing the Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk to you.

Walk a total of 10 KM, as many times as you like, on your own or with your family and pets, around the comfort of your own home, garden or local area! The charity is encouraging as many people as possible to take part during a 60-day time frame between Friday 1st October to Tuesday 30th November 2021.

Create a route, around your local area, with a total distance of 10 KM. This could be any combination such as 1 x 10 KM, 2 x 5 KM, 10 x 1 KM. The route can be done in one go, (10 KM is approximately 12500 steps and takes about one and a half to two hours to complete), or over several days. You can even set yourself challenges and do as many 10 KMs as you like over the duration of the event. Ideally this is a walk, but if you wish to run, walk backwards, hop, skip etc that is fine. The choice is yours! Just send us your photos and tag us in on social media - Instagram @mouthcancer, Facebook @mouthcancerfoundation and Twitter @mouthcancerMCF

Visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org for more information.



Who is allowed to take part?

The Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk is open to everyone of all ages and all levels of fitness, from complete beginners to experienced athletes. Families, friends, and dogs are all permitted to join in!



When Can I submit my Entry Form?

We recommend that you submit your entry form as soon as possible so we can spread the word!



When should I submit my entry form?

We recommend that you submit your entry form as soon as possible as there are a restricted number of places available and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.



Are teams allowed to enter?

Please check the latest government advice in October and November when you do your walk. We sincerely hope by then small groups will at least be able to walk together and make for a fun few hours in a local area.



How much sponsorship money do I have to raise?

There is no minimum sponsorship requirement and there is no maximum – the sky really is the limit. At the very beginning we recommend that you set yourself a target of how much you are hoping to raise in sponsorship as this can help you to focus on your fundraising efforts. And if you exceed your fundraising target then so much the better!



Where should I send my sponsorship money to?

You have a legal responsibility to ensure that all sponsorship monies / donations received by you in connection with the Mouth Cancer 10 KM Awareness Walk are sent to Mouth Cancer Foundation, Larchfield Loft, 2 Larchfield Close, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 9DD by 31st December 2021. Alternatively, create your own FREE online fundraising web page so that your sponsorship money can be received directly.



What is Mouth Cancer and what are the statistics?

This is the general term given to the variety of malignant head and neck tumours that develop in the mouth, (oral cavity). The Mouth Cancer Foundation promotes awareness of all head and neck cancers i.e. throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), salivary glands, nose, nasal, sinuses, lips and skin.

About Mouth Cancer:

- Mouth Cancer is on the increase. - Over 8700 new cases of mouth cancer in the UK each year. - 2722 lives are lost each year. - Worldwide the disease affects 650 000 per year. - Mouth cancer is twice as common in men than in women. - 78% cases occur in the over 55 age group. - Mouth Cancer is the 14th most common cancer in the UK. Visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org for more information.



How do I reduce the risk of Mouth Cancer?

Risk Factors - Tobacco use is considered the main cause of mouth cancer. - Drinking alcohol to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer four-fold. - Drinkers and smokers are 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer. - Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases. - The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main risk factor within the next decade. - HPV causes 5% of all cancers. - A life style which involves recreational drugs will increase the risk ? - Exposure to the sun Visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org for more information.



What are the top 10 symptoms for Mouth Cancer?

Visit your dentist or doctor at once if you notice any abnormal problems or are not sure. - A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal within 3 weeks - A lump or overgrowth of tissue anywhere in the mouth - A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth - Difficulty in swallowing, chewing or moving the jaw or tongue - Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth - A feeling that something is caught in the throat - A chronic sore throat or hoarseness that persists more than 6 weeks - Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable - Neck swelling present for more than 3 weeks - Unexplained tooth mobility persisting for more than 3 weeks Visit www.mouthcancerfoundation.org for more information.



Where do I find out more about Mouth Cancer?

For more information, visit the Mouth Cancer Foundation website at www.mouthcancerfoundation.org and its online support group at https://chat.mouthcancerfoundation.org/