Hall of Famer and ‘Mr. Padre’ Tony Gwynn dies at 54 from Oral Cancer

Source: abcnews.go.comAuthor: Bernie Wilson Tony Gwynn could handle a bat like few other major leaguers, whether it was driving the ball through the "5.5 hole" between third base and shortstop or hitting a home run off the facade in Yankee Stadium in the World Series. He was a craftsman at the plate, whose sweet left-handed swing made him one of baseball's greatest hitters. Gwynn loved San Diego. San Diego loved "Mr. Padre" right back. Gwynn, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest athletes in San Diego's history, died Monday of oral cancer, a disease he attributed to years of chewing tobacco. He was 54. "Our city is a little darker today without him but immeasurably better because of him," Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in a statement. In a rarity in pro sports, Gwynn played his whole career with the Padres, choosing to stay in the city where he was a two-sport star in college, rather than leaving for bigger paychecks elsewhere. His terrific hand-eye coordination made him one of the game's greatest pure hitters. He had 3,141 hits — 18th on the all-time list — a career .338 average and won eight batting titles to tie Honus Wagner's NL record. He struck out only 434 times in 9,288 career at-bats. He played in San Diego's only two World Series — batting a combined .371 — and was a 15-time All-Star. He had a memorable home run in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series off fellow San Diegan David [...]

2014-06-17T09:46:25-07:00June, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

FDA approve Lymphoseek to evaluate head and neck cancer

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com Author: Catharine Paddock PhD The US Food and Drug Administration have given the OK for doctors to use Lymphoseek - a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent - to evaluate the spread of squamous cell carcinoma in the body's head and neck region. Lymphoseek (technetium 99m tilmanocept) Injection was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 to help doctors identify lymph nodes closest to primary tumors in patients with breast cancer and melanoma. The receptor-targeted lymphatic mapping agent is marketed by Navidea, a biopharma company based in Dublin, OH. Identification of lymph nodes in cancer is important because they filter fluid that drains from tissue. If this tissue is cancerous then the fluid will contain cancer cells, and testing lymph nodes - via biopsy - for presence of cancer cells helps determine if the cancer has spread. The approval of Lymphoseek for use in head and neck cancer patients means doctors will be able to use the agent to guide testing of sentinel nodes - lymph nodes closest to a primary tumor - allowing for the "option of more limited lymph node surgery in patients with sentinel nodes negative for cancer," say the FDA. In a clinical trial, researchers found that "Lymphoseek-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy accurately determined if the cancer had spread through the lymphatic system." Dr. Libero Marzella, director of the Division of Medical Imaging Products in the federal agency's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says: "For some patients with head and [...]

Researchers bring oral cancer-fighting patch to patients

Source: medicalxpress.com Author: staff The Ohio State University and the University of Michigan have signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Ohio-based Venture Therapeutics, Inc, to form a new company to develop and commercialize a pharmaceutical technology targeted for the treatment of precancerous oral lesions. These lesions are currently managed by invasive surgery and approximately a third of these lesions will reoccur after surgery. Previously published data shows that about 30 percent of the higher grade precancerous oral lesions progress to oral cancer, specifically oral squamous cell carcinoma. This type of cancer is particularly devastating to patients because treatment entails removal of facial and mouth structures essential for esthetics and function. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 42,440 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer and over 8,390 oral cancer related deaths will occur in 2014. The pharmaceutical technology developed by researchers at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Dentistry with secondary appointments at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) and the University of Michigan addresses a significant unmet need related to the prevention of oral cancer. Precancerous oral lesions can be seen and touched by patients, so this easy access to the lesion allows the use of local delivery formulations in an oral patch to directly treat the disease without causing adverse side effects. "This type of collaboration, involving multiple university partners with strong industry support, is increasingly essential to expedite the discovery, development and [...]

Grateful Dead guitarist plays concerts with tribute band to benefit the Oral Cancer Foundation

Source: truebluetribune.com Author: staff Mark Karan, former lead guitarist for the post Grateful Dead band, The Other Ones, and Joe Pulitano, drummer for the Grateful Dead tribute band, Deadbeat, who are both stage IV oral cancer survivors, recently teamed up to play three benefit concerts in the North East to raise money for the Oral Cancer Foundation and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Following Deadbeat’s benefit performances this spring, with Mark playing guest guitar, the two men donated $7,500 of the concert proceeds to the Oral Cancer Foundation to support the organization’s research, advocacy, and educational efforts. What’s interesting is how these two talented musicians, who did not know each other before their individual encounters with this deadly disease, came together. Like many who find themselves dealing with oral cancer, Joe had complained for 14 months to his doctor about voice change, shortness of breath when speaking, and a sore throat. He was eventually diagnosed with stage IV head and neck cancer. Years before Mark’s diagnosis with oral cancer, and after Jerry Garcia’s death, he was chosen to share his lead guitar slot with Steve Kimock in the Other Ones. Just two years ago, while laying in a hospital bed, Mark asked his wife to hand him his guitar and a piece of paper. Twenty minutes later, “Walk Through Fire” was written, a song about his personal resolve, humility, acceptance, courage and lessons learned in his brush with the life-threatening disease. “It was one of those songs you hope for, [...]

The Eighth Annual Oral Cancer Walk for Awareness of New York at NYU raises more than $50,000

Source: dental.nyu.eduAuthor: Staff  On Sunday, April 21, 2013, oral cancer survivors and their families joined dental students from the NYU chapter of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), residents, dental hygiene students, nursing students, faculty, and staff from the NYU Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing for the eighth annual NYC Oral Cancer Awareness Walk, which set out from the Kissena Park Velodrome in Queens for a four-mile walk, ending at Citi Field, home of the Mets. The event attracted 600-plus walkers and raised over $50,000 -- the highest total to date – for oral cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment. In addition to NYUCD and NYUCN, sponsors included Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, the NYU Oral Cancer Center, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, the Oral Cancer Foundation, New York Hospital in Queens, the Oral Cancer Consortium, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, the UMDNJ New Jersey Dental School, and Boulevard Dental Center. Free oral cancer screenings were available throughout the event. A highlight of the event was remarks by U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-Queens), whose husband is Dr. Wayne Kye, ’02, clinical assistant professor of periodontology and implant dentistry. As he has done since 2006, Dr. Ross Kerr, clinical professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology, radiology and medicine, provided invaluable strategic advice, encouragement, and support to the extraordinary student volunteers who made the walk such a great success. *This news story was resourced by the Oral Cancer Foundation, and vetted for appropriateness and accuracy.

2014-06-06T11:14:32-07:00June, 2014|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

CDC reveals no drop in smokeless tobacco use among U.S. workers

Source: philly.comAuthor: Margaret Steele, HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, June 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cigarette smoking continues to decline among Americans who work, but use of smokeless tobacco -- a known cause of cancer -- has held steady since 2005, U.S. health officials reported Thursday. Certain types of jobs -- construction and mining, especially -- are hotbeds of smokeless tobacco use, according to a study conducted by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Looking at tobacco use over five years, the researchers found a decline in cigarette smoking among working adults -- from about 22 percent in 2005 to 19 percent in 2010. But use of smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco and snuff inched up slightly -- from 2.7 percent in 2005 to 3 percent in 2010."These findings can help health professionals direct assistance to working men and women to stop using smokeless tobacco, a known cause of oral, esophageal and pancreatic cancer," the researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The CDC called on employers to try to snuff out all forms of tobacco use. New smokeless tobacco products such as snus (finely ground moist snuff) and candy-flavored dissolvable tobacco, combined with increased marketing, might explain smokeless tobacco's steady use, the CDC authors said. However, snus and some other products weren't included in the questionnaire so it's possible smokeless tobacco use is underestimated, study author Dr. Jacek Mazurek, of the division of respiratory disease studies, and colleagues noted. Chewing tobacco and snuff aren't safe, research has shown. [...]

2014-06-06T10:47:15-07:00June, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

Study finds low public awareness of head and neck cancer

Source: www.sciencecodex.comAuthor: The JAMA Network Journals Bottom Line: Public awareness of head and neck cancer (HNC) is low, with few Americans knowing much about risk factors such as tobacco use and human papillomavirus (HPV). Author: Alexander L. Luryi, B.S., of the Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. Background: HNC is the 10 th most common cancer in the United States. It is a potentially preventable disease with about 75 percent of cases caused by tobacco use. In recent years, HPV has been established as a risk factor for HNC. Increased public awareness of HNC and its risk factors could help improve outcomes. How the Study Was Conducted: An online study of 2,126 adults was conducted in 2013. Results: About 66 percent of the participants were "not very" or "not at all" knowledgeable about HNC. Smoking and chewing or spitting tobacco were identified by 54.5 percent and 32.7 percent of respondents as risk factors for mouth and throat cancer, respectively. Only 0.8 percent of respondents identified HPV as a risk factor. Discussion: "Awareness of HNC is low compared with other cancers, which is concerning given the importance of risk factor avoidance and modification, as well as early patient detection, as drivers of prevention and improved outcomes."  *This news story was resourced by the Oral Cancer Foundation, and vetted for appropriateness and accuracy.  

2014-06-06T10:19:47-07:00June, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

Aerosmith’s Tom Hamilton begins to put post-cancer struggle behind him

Source:http://www.tv3.ieAuthor: Staff Aerosmith's Tom Hamilton admits the after effects of cancer treatment came back to ''bite'' him. The bass player, who was told his throat and tongue cancer had returned in 2011, had a difficult year last year after he pulled out of the band's tour of Australia and was replaced by David Hull due to health issues. He told digitaljournal.com: ''I had a couple of situations last year that I'm past. Sometimes the after effects of cancer treatment sort of come back to bite you later on down the road. That happened last year, but I'm feeling great now ... having an awesome time out here.'' The 62-year-old musician is now looking forward to touring the US with his Aerosmith band mates - Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer - and he realises there might not be many more opportunities to play live which is why the band put their differences aside. He said: ''I think we all know that we're nearer the end than the beginning of this whole thing and nobody wants to miss anything - I certainly don't. ''I don't want to miss all the amazing stuff there is out in the world for us right now just because of an argument or because somebody is too burned out and they lash out or something. Everything is forgivable when you consider what's out there for us if we can keep it together...'' Asked if he had considered retiring from the group, he replied: ''Yeah, [...]

2014-06-05T11:45:36-07:00June, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

Aspen Dental and The Oral Cancer Foundation join together and conducted over 2,400 oral cancer screenings in April

Source: sacbee.comAuthor: Aspen Dental  SYRACUSE, N.Y., May 29, 2014 -- Aspen Dental, one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., conducted 2,420 oral cancer screenings at Aspen Dental locations during the month of April, resulting in a $12,100 donation to The Oral Cancer Foundation. The program, which included a $5 donation for each screening conducted, was run throughout the Aspen Dental network, which includes more than 450 practices across 27 states. Since 2010, Aspen Dental has donated more than $63,000 to The Oral Cancer Foundation. "Each year, oral cancer kills more people in the U.S. than other more widely known forms of cancer, including skin, lymphatic, thyroid, and cervical cancers," said Jamie O'Day, Director of Operations for The Oral Cancer Foundation. "The funds raised through Aspen Dental's oral cancer screening campaign in April are imperative to help OCF continue to sponsor research, provide patient support, education, and early detection initiatives which are all related to our mission. We are proud to be associated with an organization that makes oral cancer screenings a priority in their practices." According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 43,250 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2014. This is the eighth year in a row in which there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence of oral cancers, in 2007 there was a major jump of over 11% in that single year. "Unfortunately many patients are not familiar with the risk factors or symptoms that serve as warning signs of [...]

2014-06-05T11:35:53-07:00June, 2014|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

New immunotherapy drug shows promise for advanced head/neck cancer

Source: www.drbicuspid.com Author: DrBicuspid staff A new immunotherapy treatment, MK3475, known as pembrolizumab, from Merck has proved effective in some patients with advanced head and neck, according to the early findings of a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago. The findings were presented by Tanguy Seiwert, MD, the associate director of the Head and Neck Cancer Program and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. In the phase IB study, a small number of patients with advanced head and neck cancer were treated with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody. The drug is part of an emerging class of medications that work by blocking the PD-1 protein, which is used by cancer cells to evade the body's immune system. When PD-L1 attaches to its receptor PD-1 on immune cells, tumors are able to hide from the immune system; drugs that target either PD-L1 or PD-1 inhibit this interaction. In the study presented at the ASCO meeting, 56 patients with advanced head and neck cancer whose tumors were assessed as positive for PD-L1 expression were evaluable for treatment response with pembrolizumab; 20 of the patients tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV). The early findings showed a best overall response rate of 20%, with 29% of patients having stable disease. Similar overall response rates were observed in HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients. Tumor shrinkage was demonstrated in 51% of evaluable patients who had measurable disease with one postbaseline scan. The most common treatment-related adverse events [...]

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