Oral cancer is rising sharply - with nearly 390,000 new cases each year and more than 500 deaths every day. Globally, incidence has increased by almost 60% over the past three decades, yet survival has barely improved.

Saving Faces is partnering with Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial / Head & Neck Surgeon Neil Shah to raise funds for a Professor in Clinical Trials in Oral Cancer. This is an international role dedicated to transforming evidence, earlier diagnosis and outcomes for future patients.

Neil has over 25 years’ experience operating on some of the most complex cancers of the mouth, face and neck but in 2025, he developed the very disease he has dedicated his life to detecting early. The tumour was small but highly aggressive, requiring radical tongue surgery, neck dissection, free-flap reconstruction and radiotherapy.

In many populations, the disease is becoming more aggressive, striking earlier and progressing faster than before. Much more research is needed and more lives could be improved with stronger evidence and better treatment pathways.

This is the moment to turn compassion into progress and to build the research foundation facial cancer urgently needs.