Nairobi, March 18 -- It all started during a routine dental visit when Joseph Letiang's dentist noticed a white patch in his mouth.

"I was not aware of any changes in my mouth. Although I drank occasionally, I have never smoked in my life and always thought my mouth was healthy. However, my dentist recommended that I see a specialist oral surgeon who examined my mouth and took samples from the inside of my jaw and gums," says the 55-year-old father of three.

On his return visit, it was confirmed that he had cancerous cells in his right jaw and lower right gum.

"It's now four years since I was first diagnosed as a 'head and neck' cancer patient," says Mr Letiang, who is the lucky one and back to work.

Emma Wainaina, a dental surgeon at...