cancer survivors – Oral Cancer News

ASCO Launches New Survivorship Guidelines

Author: Roxanne NelsonSource: medscape.com The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has issued 3 new evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the prevention and management of common symptoms that affect a large number of cancer survivors — neuropathy, fatigue, and depression and anxiety. The number of cancer survivors in the United States has risen exponentially, from 3.0 million in 1971 to about 13.7 million currently. That is good news, but the downside is that survivors often face long-term health issues related to their disease and treatment. Thus, there is an outstanding need for comprehensive guidance to assist clinicians in this management process. The ASCO recommendations reinforce the fact that both physical and psychological needs have to be addressed in this population. The guidelines, published online April 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, are the first in a series that will focus on survivorship care. Peripheral Neuropathy Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common treatment-related adverse event and can affect a patient's long-term quality of life. It is estimated that about 38% of patients who are treated with multiple agents develop CIPN, but this can vary, depending on the actual regimen and duration of treatment. Chemotherapy combinations associated with a higher incidence of CIPN are those that involve platinum drugs, vinca alkaloids, bortezomib, and/or taxanes. Symptoms vary, and range from numbness and tingling to shooting pain in the arms and legs. If symptoms are really severe, dose reduction or another regimen might be necessary. For a minority of patients, severe symptoms can last for years. [...]

Charlotte Parker2014-04-30T12:32:48-07:00April, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

After-effects of oral cancer surgery forces patients into unemployment and depression

Source: economicvoice.comAuthor: Economic Voice Staff Cancer Patients are being forced into unemployment due to the after-effects of surgery and higher levels of depression. Research into head and neck cancer patients discovered the rate of those employed fell by more than 40 per cent five years after diagnosis, where only one in three managed to secure work. They also reported unemployed cancer survivors had lower social well-being and higher depression scores For those cancer sufferers out of work prior to diagnosis, their reasons for not returning to work also included the knock-on effect of surgery as well as dangerous levels of alcohol consumption. Figures from Cancer Research UK reveal more than 331,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2011 – around 910 every day. According to mouth cancer campaigners, the problems are exacerbated for mouth cancer patients. Previous research identified mouth cancer survivors face a diminished quality of life. Survivors reported poor oral function, resulting in persistent eating problems and long term depression. More than half of respondents (51.6 per cent) reported problems with eating, while on average one in four survivors who lived for five or more years still experienced speech problems. It was a similar story when it came to a patient’s physical and mental health, with more than a third (36.7 per cent and 39.3 per cent respectively) recording low functionality after the five year analysis. According to Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, the study highlights the problems mouth cancer sufferers face on a daily basis. Dr [...]

Charlotte Parker2014-03-31T15:05:13-07:00March, 2014|Oral Cancer News|

More than 100 people receive free oral exams, courtesy of the City of Gulfport.

Source: Gulfport.Patch.com The Walgreen’s parking lot in Gulfport became a dentist office for a day. And instead of paying a fee for a clinical exam, patients were seen for free. "I was very surprised because screenings of any kind are minimum of $35 to $50 dollars, so that was very nice. They advertised it very well," St. Petersburg resident Rosalind Dunlop said. This is the second year the City of Gulfport’s sponsored a free oral cancer screening The goal: to inform, educate and refer people to seek additional medical help if any signs are detected. "We have volunteer dentists, it takes a couple of minutes, there's no pain involved and it may save your life," Gulfport Vice Mayor David Hastings said. "It's a free exam, basically we've had all sorts of people come in. Some people regularly go to the dentist, I had one person, it had been 17 years since they had been to the dentist. So, all sorts of people that have come in and I think we found, two that I've found that just need to be referred," Dentist Lawrence N. Klein said. "Last year, we screened over 200 and we referred nine people out. This year, I've already seen about five referral sheets going out. It's not good to get the referral sheet, but on the same hand, it may be the thing that saves your life," Hastings said. "It's your responsibility to take care of your own health. If you don't want to know, I'm [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-04-27T15:54:14-07:00April, 2011|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|