More than 750 participants from all walks of life ranging from seven to 90 years old have participated in the Walkathon on September 27 to create awareness on oral cancer.

The event was flagged off by Mr A Pari, IGP, West Zone. The Walkathon was organized by the Coimbatore Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. Organizing Secretary Dr Kannan Balram said the event was organized with the aim to sensitise the public about the implications of smoking, pan, chewing tobacco, road accidents and their impact on health. The event was also aimed to increase public awareness about oral cancer, facial injuries and deformities.

He said the participants carried placards and banners explaining the impact of chewing tobacco / pan, road accidents and oral cancer. Dhruv Enterprises, a helmet trading company came forward to promote road safety awareness. Dr Kannan said that similar events are being held all over the state as part of the forthcoming Golden Jubilee of the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India and also the National conference of the association which is going to be held in collaboration with the Japanese association in Chennai next month.

He said about 1750 delegates from all over the country and 60 delegates from abroad were expected to participate in the scientific deliberations of the conference. The conference will aim to highlight the trends, management protocols and the recent advances in the management of facial injuries, oral cancer and facial deformities, he added.