7/1/2005 Houston, TX Waun Ki Hong, M.D. & Edward Kim, M.D. MD Anderson's CancerWise (www.cancerwise.org) For decades, scientists have increasingly explored the possibilities of preventing cancer. This field of study, known as “chemoprevention,” involves the use of agents such as aspirin and aspirin-like drugs, as well as foodstuffs like green tea, spices and vitamins. A number of recent large-scale chemoprevention trials throughout the world have failed, however, challenging the value of such studies. Two M. D. Anderson scientists commented in a recent issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that although a great amount of work needs to be done to improve design and development of chemoprevention trials, there is no need to give up hope. Defining the road ahead in improving future trials “The field of chemoprevention still remains an exciting area of research, yet many challenges are ahead,” write Waun Ki Hong, M.D., head of the Division of Cancer Medicine, and Edward Kim, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology. Hong and Kim say that many of the failed chemoprevention studies were unsuccessful because researchers had not yet established risk models that can best define which patients will be helped by chemoprevention. Chemoprevention trials are “large, time-consuming and expensive,” they write. In order for them to serve patients best, scientists need to establish a set of criteria that includes biomarkers, genetic signposts that can predict which agents will work, to prevent a second or even a first cancer from developing. [...]

7/1/2005 Houston, TX staff report MD Anderson's CancerWise (www.cancerwise.org) Brushing your teeth – it’s something you do every day, but have you ever looked beyond your teeth to see what else is back there? You and your dentist are the best defense against oral cancer. “Your dentist is in a unique position to not only screen the oral cavity, but also the head and neck areas, checking for abnormal nodes or lumps, and tissue and skin changes that may indicate cancer or an infection,” says Bela Toth, D.D.S., professor in M. D. Anderson’s Department of Head and Neck Surgery. The most common cancer in the mouth, Toth says, is a squamous cell carcinoma. Premalignant lesions occurring in the lining of the mouth also are frequently seen. They may appear as white, thickened areas or as a red patch. Tips for examining the inside of your mouth Since detecting cancer in its earliest stages affords a better chance for survival, a thorough oral and head and neck screening should be part of a routine dental examination. What can you do between dental visits to ensure good oral health? Using a mirror, look for anything unusual while examining your lips, teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks. If you notice any of the following signs, contact your physician. These may indicate cancer or some other underlying problem: Lip or mouth sore that doesn’t heal within two weeks Lump in the mouth Lump elsewhere, such as the face, jawbone and neck White/red patch on the [...]