Oral cancer can be a debilitating disease. Many oral cancers require major resective surgery and reconstruction, leading to impaired function and poor facial aesthetics. 2000 people die from the disease annually.

Either as a sequelae of surgery or radiotherapy, or as a symptom of the disease, patients are unable to speak or eat for part of their recovery and sadly in some cases may never speak or eat again.

I am attempting to be silent and fast for 24 hours. I know this will be tough, but nothing in comparison to what the many patients going through this currently are experiencing. And at least I know that I have the choice to start again.

I am supporting the Ben Walton Trust through this as they raise awareness, fund research and encourage appropriate palliative care.

Ben Walton died at the age of 22 of mouth cancer, 1 year after initial diagnosis. He was fit and well, did not smoke and drank alcohol in moderation. He originally developed an ulcer which was mismanaged and progressed rapidly. His family have set up the trust in his honour in the hope that other young people and the wider population can be saved from this cruel end.