Intense pain, impaired speech, disfiguration of the mouth, complications while ingesting food. These are all effects of a worryingly understated health issue in Pakistan: Oral Cancer. For Pakistani men, it is the most common form of cancer. For their female compatriots, it is the second most common. The leading causes are socially accepted substances such as tobacco, chalia, paan and gutka.
Millions of people take for granted the gift of health, the seamless performance of little tasks such as eating and speaking. By mindlessly consuming these substances, they put themselves at high risk of Oral Cancer. Most of these people cannot even afford the cost of proper treatment.
Recently, Dr. Jehanzeb Mughal ran the Amsterdam Marathon to establish an Intensive Procedure Operation Theatre, an HDU and a General Ward at the PEBS Hospital, where complex surgical treatment of Oral Cancer will be provided Free-Of-Cost. This will be the only service of its kind in all of Pakistan.
The PEBS Hospital Run to support Dr. Mughal, in the fight against Oral Cancer was scheduled for the 12th of February, the run offered three distance categories: 10k, 5k and 1k. Proceeds from the event were donated to the PEBS Hospital for the Free-Of-Cost surgical treatment of Oral Cancer.