Recently, it was announced that Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer. His throat cancer is related to excessive smoking and alcohol use.

According to a recent article,

Another reason to suspect that Douglas’s throat cancer is oropharyngeal cancer is his statement that the cancer probably was caused by smoking and drinking.

‘Smoking is a major cause of oropharyngeal cancer,’ Har-El tells WebMD. ‘Drinking alcohol, as far as the statistics can tells us, is not as bad by itself. But the combination of drinking and smoking is the worst combination.’

Michael Douglas’s throat cancer is at the base of his tongue, a location that produces no pain, causing it to often progress undetected.

As always we urge you to have regular oral cancer screenings in order to protect you from this awful disease.

It’s always eye-opening when you come across the stories of those that have survived oral cancer and their battle against it. There is no one like a survivor that understands the “real deal”. Recently, we ran across an article of a chef that survived.  The article made a true assertion: we have to be our own advocates. It is up to the individual to really push the professional to look for oral cancer. Oral cancer is not easily diagnosed, so it should be monitored by the individual and second, third and even fourth opinions are worth the effort.

See below for a clip of the article discussing the type of oral cancer test that did not work for him and what he suggests for the reader. You can find the full article here.

The hardest part for Achatz is how easily the spot could have been identified as cancerous had doctors administered something called a “brush test.” “If even one of my dentists had used this simple test, my whole ordeal could have been avoided,” he writes. He urges anyone who sees or feels a spot on his or her tongue to see a dentist who uses the brush test, which tests the cells beneath the spot to see whether it is precancerous.

As always…

“Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.”

Baylor College of Dentistry is active in the fight against oral cancer.  They are actively researching the disease in order to have success in fighting it.  In order to be successful, they need saliva samples from those that have been diagnosed with oral cancer.  Baylor especially needs samples from patients that have not yet begun treatment. It takes less than 30 minutes and they will pay you or your favorite charity for your saliva donation.

For more information, please view Baylor flyer.

If you can participate in this important study, please contact:

Lee Jordan, Department of Diagnostic Sciences,
TAMHSC-Baylor College of Dentistry,
(214) 370-7213
Jordan@bcd.tamhsc.edu

Fight Oral Cancer Foundation (FOCF) will be holding a free oral cancer screening at Campion Trail, T.W. Richardson Grove Park on September 19th.

Support Groups are an important part of walking through the treatment process for those that have been diagnosed with oral cancer.  SPOHNC (short for Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer) is committed to developing programs to support those that are on that journey.

Last year the Fight Oral Cancer Foundation had the privilege of participating in the SPOHNC fundraiser in Irving. While at the event we conducted free oral cancer screenings. Dr. Fitzgerald screened many attendees and referred 5 attendees to seek further diagnosis from doctors.

FOCF in collaboration with SPOHNC is delighted to be a part of this event again this year on September 19th. We will be conducting free oral cancer screenings.  You are invited to come out to the event and be a part of the great work that SPOHNC is doing to make a difference in the lives of those that have fallen victim to this horrible disease.

Click here for the full sized poster in PDF format.

Date:

September 19, 2010

Location:

Campion Trail, T.W. Richardson Grove Park
333 East Interstate 635
Irving, TX

Time:

Start Time: 7am
Screening: 9-11am

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reported recently that African Americans are at the highest risk for contracting oral cancer. In an effort to raise awareness and provide helpful information regarding risk factors, they have put together the below informative video. Please watch and feel free to offer any comments you might have.

Recently, Science Daily posted an article with updates on advancements in oral cancer research.  According to the article, early detection could save upwards of 40,000 people daily.  Below is an excerpt of this groundbreaking news:

“Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers discovered a biomarker, called human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), which may serve as an early warning. The defensin is present in all oral cancers and associated with the early stages of oral cancer.

‘Using the biomarker to detect oral cancer holds potential for saving lives when the cancer is most curable. Annually some 10,000 people die from this cancer,’ said Ge Jin, assistant professor of biological sciences at the dental school.

He led the study, which appears in the online journal PLoS ONE, published by the Public Library of Science.

Oral cancer first appears as white or red lesions in the mouth, the same as noncancerous lesions.

Often, the lesions are not biopsied, and cancer is not discovered until it becomes apparent in its later stages, when it has metastasized to other organs. Such a late-stage diagnosis is generally fatal and can result in costly surgeries and treatments or disfigurement that may include removing parts of the tongue, jaw and cheek. All this can be avoided with early removal of the lesion.”

Click here for the complete Science Daily article regarding the role of hBDs in oral health and the potential of using this biomarker to detect oral cancer early.

Recently, we received a substantial donation from Michaeline Moran.  The donation was made in the memory of Phyllis Wolff, an oral cancer victim.  As a foundation, we’d like to thank Michaeline for her donation and offer our condolences to the friends and family of Phyllis Wolff.

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Together we fight oral cancer… Together we save one life every hour.

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with any form of cancer, the question of survival rate often comes up.  A survival rate is something that is not absolute, but is mainly a gathering of statistics based on the results of past patients with the same types and progression of cancer upon diagnosis.  According to the Mayo Clinic, “Cancer survival rates or survival statistics tell you the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time.”  The survival rate uses a 5-year scope, meaning that after 5-years it will tell you the percentage of patients that are living.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “60% of those with oral cancer survive over 5 years.”  Since 1965 the survival rate has been increasing, due to more awareness and earlier detection.  Below is a table that was provided by NIDCR regarding trends in survival based on race, gender, and race.

Recently, we had a Twitter follower ask us what the latest methods of detecting oral cancer are. With Twitter’s allowances of only 140 characters to answer the question, we decided to post a blog that gives a more in depth look at the state of oral cancer detection devices.

The main oral cancer detection devices that are on the market today are:

1. Brush biopsy – “The OralCDx® BrushTest®is an easy, painless and definitive way for dentists to test the common small white and red oral spots that most people have in their mouth at one time or another. The BrushTest is used to determine if a common oral spot contains abnormal cells (known as dysplasia) that, if left alone for several years, may develop into oral cancer.”
2. ViziLite Plus, MicroLux DL – A light technology that “in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer.”
3. Velscope - “The ‘white light’ exam. The VELscope exam is actually the second step in a comprehensive oral cancer exam. The first step is a conventional ‘white light’ exam in which the dentist or hygienist looks for lesions in the oral cavity with the naked eye and uses palpation to feel for any bumps in the neck or face.”
4. Trimira OCS 3000 – Trimira’s®, new Identafi® 3000 ultra uses the Identafi® Multi-Spectral Fluorescence and Reflectance technology to enhance visualization of mucosal abnormalities such as oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia that may not be apparent to the naked eye. But unlike other fluorescence technologies and dye systems, the Identafi® 3000 ultra is Multi-Spectral with three distinct color wavelengths, making it easier to distinguish lesion morphology and vasculature thereby reducing false positives.

The oral cancer detection devices mentioned above are only tools for screening and are not designed to diagnose oral cancer. They result false negatives if not used appropriately.  The ideal screening is a conventional visual oral tactile exam at the dental office first.

Visiting a pathologist in suspicious cases is highly recommended.  A second opinion can save you a lifetime. Do not wait and watch the cancer grow in your mouth.

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Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.

Photo Credit

According to MD Anderson, a leading cancer treatment hospital,

Thanks to earlier detection, improved treatments and the supportive care of family and friends, there are now more than 10 million cancer survivors in the United States. One out of every six people over 65 is a cancer survivor, and 1.4 million were diagnosed more than 20 years ago.

Some survivors may live with cancer as a chronic disease requiring periodic treatments, while others may go into long-term remission. Many will lead normal lives with few side effects, if any. In fact, two-thirds of survivors report that cancer has not had a significant long-term impact on their lives.

Early detection is the best way to survive cancer.  According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,

Oral cancer survival rates have increased approximately 15 percent from the mid 1960s until the latest (2004) National Cancer Institute Survey. In spite of this improvement, significant disparities remain in some population groups.

The more awareness that is raised regarding the concerns of oral cancer, the higher the likelihood of early detection.  Encourage your friends and your family to incorporate regular oral cancer screenings in their dental checkups.

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Together we fight oral cancer. Together we save a life every hour.