OCF In The News

UCLA awarded Government grant to extended oral cancer research

Source: Privatemdlabs.com Author: Brendan Missett Funding made available from the Obama Administration's stimulus plan will assist the UCLA School of Dentistry in cancer research. The National Institutes of Health awarded more than $5 million to UCLA which will be used toward the construction of a state-of-the-art complex designed to expand the School of Dentistry's research on the detection and treatment of oral cancer. The building will be called the Yip Center for Oral/Head & Neck Oncology Research. In the past three years, the school was awarded close to $30 million in grants for oral cancer research. Construction plans for the complex, which is named after philanthropists Felix and Mildred Yip, have already begun. The construction is expected to conclude in 2013. No-Hee Park, dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry, commented, "This visionary funding will enable the dental school to become a nexus of multidisciplinary, collaborative research." She added that she hopes the school will become the "premier" oral cancer research program in the country. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, oral cancer kills about one person every hour, and only half of oral cancer patients survive for more than 5 years after their diagnosis. The National Cancer Institute recommends oral cancer testing to detect the disease at an early, treatable stage.

Charlotte Parker2009-09-15T15:44:10-07:00September, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

First ever list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits

Source: Hotindienews.com Author: Staff Menlo Park, Calif. — For donors and volunteers looking to support a cancer charity, GreatNonprofits releases the first ever list of top-rated cancer fighting nonprofits. A huge variety of cancer support, education, and advocacy organizations were reviewed during the 2009 GreatNonprofits Cancer Fighters Awards in July. The large diversity of organizations that received reviews combined with the large number of reviews posted, shows the incredible passion and commitment these organizations inspire. “We’re really proud of this,” says Brian Hill, Founder and Executive Director of The Oral Cancer Foundation, which won for top-rated cancer organization with an annual budget below $250,000. “It’s an honest appraisal of metrics of what we’ve accomplished that’s actually human.” Nancy Frank is the Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the winner among organizations with budgets over $1,000,000. She says, “We were thrilled with the response. We work our little nose to the grindstone every day and this kind of renewed our spirits in this hard year.” The contest, held throughout July, asked people to submit reviews and ratings about nonprofits serving the cancer community. The contest was sponsored by GreatNonprofits, GuideStar and Planet Cancer. The results provide surprising and inspiring insights into the diversity of organizations that are considered effective and important by volunteers, donors and stakeholders of the cancer community. This is the first ever list providing reviews of cancer fighting nonprofits by those who have actually experienced their work. These unique results will be helpful to donors and [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-08-24T22:36:54-07:00August, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Oral cancer risks that may surprise you

Source: www.examiner.com Author: staff "I am a non-smoker; I do not need to worry about Oral Cancer... right?" Not exactly... Oral Cancer is a debilitating and frightful disease that affects 34,000 new Americans each year. Approximately one person dies of oral cancer each hour and it is estimated that 8,000 will die this year. Of the 34,000 diagnosed in 2009, less than half will live to see 2014. The mortality rate of Oral Cancer is higher than that of Cervical, Testicular and Malignant Melanoma (Skin Cancer). Although Oral Cancer is not addressed as often as other forms of cancer, it is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Many associate Oral Cancer to tobacco use, which is the main risk factor along with excessive alcohol consumption. However, 25% of new Oral Cancer patients do not possess these risk factors. Because of the aggressive nature of the disease, early diagnosis is crucial. Therefore knowing all the risk factors will enable individuals to become proactive in their oral health. Risk factors of Oral Cancer include: Tobacco: Especially "chewing" tobacco, this is thought to contribute to Oral Cancers in the young (less than forty years of age). Alcohol: Consuming three or more alcohol beverages per day increases your risk for Oral Cancer development. Diabetes: It is thought that those individuals who are diabetic are at an increased risk because of compromised immune systems. Human Papilloma Virus: HPV-16 increases the risk for Oral Cancer (it is the same form of HPV that is responsible [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-19T07:23:25-07:00August, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Floor of the mouth cancer requires more aggressive treatment to prevent metastases

Source: www.docguide.com Author: Louise Gagnon More aggressive management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the floor of the mouth has decreased the number of failures in local, regional, and distant metastases, according to a retrospective chart review presented here at the 2nd World Congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology (IAOO). In the study, a total of 142 treatment-naïve patients with newly diagnosed floor of mouth cancer received treatment with curative intent from 1994 through 2004 at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. About a third of patients received postoperative radiation, explained lead author Jane Lea, MD, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto/Princess Margaret Hospital. The researches wanted to review outcomes and assess any predictive information of survival in patients, noted Dr. Lea. "We wanted to determine clinical and pathological prognosticators of survival," Dr. Lea told attendees at an oral abstract session on July 9. The primary mode of treatment was surgery, with the majority (91%) of those undergoing surgery undergoing neck dissections, noted Dr. Lea. Overall 5-year survival was 68%, and 5-year cause-specific survival was 80%. Mortality due to floor of mouth disease was 14%, and failures were reported in 24 patients. Researchers compared the outcome of this chart review to previously published reviews on the management of SCC of the floor of mouth and found more aggressive management, characterised by increased rates of neck dissections, in their practice compared with management of the condition in the 1970s and 1980s. The more [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-07-21T20:05:37-07:00July, 2009|OCF In The News|

Oral Cancer Foundation praised for its social media efforts

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: John Pohl Social Media Guru Mashable.com Cites Organizations Using Social Media for Public Good The Oral Cancer Foundation was recently praised by a leading Internet media website in an article discussing non-profit organizations that are effectively using Internet based social media for the public good. Mashable, the world’s largest site focused exclusively on Web 2.0 and social media such as blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, touted the online efforts of several organizations in a recent story entitled, 5 Unique Social Good “Finds”. Other organizations cited included The National Suicide Prevention Hotline and the ASPCA. Founded in July 2005, Mashable is the most prolific source for information and reviews of new websites and services, publishes breaking news on new web developments, and provides social media resources and guides. Mashable's audience includes early adopters and influencers, social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, large and small corporations, marketing, PR and advertising agencies, Web 2.0 aficionados, and technology journalists. “We are flattered that our social media efforts have generated the attention and kind words of such a leading edge organization,” said Brian Hill, Founder and Executive Director of the Oral Cancer Foundation. “We dedicate a great deal of time and focus to social media, which we believe allows us to connect with younger members of our audience in a way that is richer, more meaningful, and more relevant than we can achieve using more traditional media. This is particularly important to us, as individuals impacted by oral cancers have been [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-30T16:00:34-07:00June, 2009|OCF In The News|

University benefits the environment and the Oral Cancer Foundation

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: John Pohl Re-Cell-a-Thon Raises Funds by Recycling Cellphones At one of America’s most scenic and historic universities, a conscientious and industrious group of students, faculty and administrators recently formed a Greening Committee dedicated to raising awareness of the many things that can and must be done to protect the environment. So where is this university located: Vermont? Colorado? Oregon? Not quite; actually, the location is New York City. The Greening Committee is a collaborative effort between New York University’s College of Dentistry and College of Nursing. Formed in the fall of 2007, the roughly 20 committee members decided that they would show their support for Earth Day 2009 by organizing a 4-week-long Re-Cell-a-Thon to recycle cell phones. Not only that, they decided that the funds raised would be donated to the Oral Cancer Foundation. According to Theresa Rinaldi, who chaired the Re-Cell-a-Thon’s Public Relations sub-committee, “We knew that NYU has a wonderful relationship with Brian Hill and the Oral Cancer Foundation, and we couldn’t think of a better organization to donate our proceeds to.” According to Ms. Rinaldi, who is Alumni Outreach Administrator at the College of Dentistry, over 170 phones were collected at seven locations within the two colleges. The Greening Committee partnered with CollectiveGood, a non-profit organization that recycles donated cellphones and PDAs back into reuse. According to CollectiveGood, there are more than 1 billion used mobile phones in the US sitting on shelves or in landfills, and another 125 million will [...]

Charlotte Parker2009-06-25T18:18:42-07:00June, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

The oral cancer battle

Source: www.ladowntownnews.com Author: Beth Dunham As people look for ways to cut corners and save money in this time of economic uncertainty, healthcare sometimes takes a back seat to other expenses — putting lives at risk. A visit to the dentist is crucial and could mean the difference between life and death; someone in the United States dies of oral cancer nearly every hour, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Early detection is crucial in the fight against oral cancer, an aggressive, deadly disease that hasn’t seen the same improvements in survival rates as other cancers, said Parish Sedghizadeh of the USC School of Dentistry. “Oral cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among cancers,” said Sedghizadeh, assistant professor of clinical dentistry at USC. “It’s usually not noticed until the later stages, when a recovery is less likely. People have heard of oral cancer, but they don’t know what it looks like.” The disease rarely causes pain or other noticeable symptoms until it reaches a very advanced stage, he said. And while many people stay vigilant for the symptoms of more common cancers, dental care access challenges and a lack of oral cancer education means that most patients don’t know the early signs of oral cancer. “Oral cancer will often start as a small red or white plaque or sore that doesn’t go away with time, unlike other normal mouth, tongue, or lip sores that usually heal within a week or so,” Sedghizadeh said. Even if the disease is [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-04-27T05:43:46-07:00April, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Penn Dental School walks for oral cancer

Source: media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com Author: Jenny Chung Diagnosed as the cause of death for over 8,000 Americans annually, oral cancer is a disease that rarely garners the attention it deserves. But this year, Penn Dental School students are raising awareness with the first Oral Cancer Walk Philadelphia. Organized by the Oral Cancer Awareness Society, the walk is to be held tomorrow - regardless of weather conditions - beginning at 10 a.m. Participants will follow a 3.1-mile circular route that starts and finishes at the University's School of Dental Medicine at 240 S. 40th St. All participants are required to raise a minimum of $20 to benefit the Oral Cancer Foundation, while oral cancer survivors are invited to walk for free as honored guests. Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided along the Walk free of charge until 2 p.m. Complimentary oral screenings will also be offered from 10 a.m. onward. OCAS was founded last year by Penn Dental students Ann Layvey and Natalie Powell, who were "inspired to organize a charity event of their own" after attending a Penn Law fundraiser last year, according to the Web site. The Walk was coordinated through the combined efforts of over 40 students in five different subcommittees and boasts a logo designed by Penn Dental student Susana Porras. Thus far, the group has raised nearly $10,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation from corporate sponsors and various organizations affiliated with the dental school. According to Oral Cancer Walk Philadelphia Head of Media Relations Michelle Han, the [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-04-17T12:35:28-07:00April, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Oral Cancer Foundation calls for FDA authority over tobacco marketers

Source: Author: The Oral Cancer Foundation today called for the U.S. Senate to grant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over tobacco products in response to the tobacco industry's most aggressive marketing campaign targeted at women and girls in over a decade. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to give the FDA such authority approximately two weeks ago. "The percentage of oral cancer patients represented by women has increased tremendously over the past four decades, and we believe the marketing efforts of the tobacco industry is a major causal factor," said Brian Hill, founder of the Oral Cancer Foundation. "Before Virginia Slims began aggressively targeting women in the 1960s, roughly one-in-ten oral cancer victims was female. Since then, the ratio has quintupled to one-in-two." Hill also noted that lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the number one cancer killer of women in 1987, and that while overall cancer rates are declining for men and women, lung cancer is not declining among women. Moreover, smoking puts women and girls at greater risk of a wide range of other deadly diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and emphysema. Hill cited "Deadly in Pink: Big Tobacco Steps Up Its Targeting of Women and Girls," a comprehensive report recently issued by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The report studied numerous tobacco marketing campaigns, images from which can be found at www.tobaccofreekids.org/deadlyinpink. "In reading this report, three [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-04-17T08:05:22-07:00April, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

A fighting partner

Source: RDH Magazine Author: Donna Marie Grzegorek Dentists and hygienists should be teaming up to be the first line of defense against oral cancer. In the United States this year, more than 35,310 new cases of oral and pharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed, with an estimated 7,590 people who will die. Sadly, survival rates for oral cancer have not changed significantly in 40 years, and embarrassingly, dental professionals are alone among health professionals who screen for cancer with their hands and eyes. Under the watchful eye of the dental practitioner, 70% of the lesions found during visual and palpation exams are detected in Stage III and Stage IV, and one–half of those patients (58%) will survive less than five years. It gets worse ... a survey conducted by the American Dental Association revealed that only 15% of patients reported having an oral cancer examination during a routine dental appointment. And noteworthy, failure to diagnose oral cancer is the number two cause of dental malpractice in the United States. Oral cancer claims constitute the most expensive malpractice suits and the most difficult to defend, with awards typically exceeding $1 million. If these statistics are not compelling enough, take note that the face of oral cancer is changing. No longer should we look at the older male patient with a chronic history of tobacco and alcohol abuse as the only high–risk patient. Twenty–seven percent of all new oral cancers are occurring in young adults with no associated risk factors. So I ask [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-03-24T17:48:40-07:00March, 2009|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|