Oral Cancer News

Baker serves great desserts despite not tasting them

Source: Livingston Daily Author: Frank Konkel The Argentine Township woman loves the way chaotic mountains of ingredients meld together to form a singular creation. In the sugary-sweet science of baking desserts, she is a master, wielding her two chief weapons, chocolate and peanut butter, like a wizard waves a wand. At family functions, people fight over whichever dish she brings to pass. Her nephew, committed to play college football this year for the University of Indiana, isn't worried about taking hits from 300-pound linemen. He's worried about how his aunt is going to ship him care packages full of cupcakes across state lines. Dave Johnson, her husband of six years, recalls thinking, "Oh, my God, can she ever cook," after the couple's first dinner date back in 2002. He's fought a losing battle with his waistline ever since. "I've been told by many people that they're the best thing they've ever eaten," Tami Johnson said, without a hint of boasting in her voice. Thing is, she can't taste the delectable desserts she makes. At least not her cupcakes. Not anymore. Last July, the 43-year-old had her tongue removed by doctors in an effort to rid her of the oral cancer she was diagnosed with June 19, 2009. For the following three months, she underwent two rounds of chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation treatment. Doctors were forced to remove 112 lymph nodes from her head and neck, two of which tested positive for cancer. The oral cancer and subsequent treatments taxed [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-22T21:01:57-07:00August, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Despite risks, an addictive treat fuels a Chinese city

Source: The New York Times Author: Dan Levin XIANGTAN, China — If the residents of this city seem a bit lively on even the hottest days or most frigid nights, check their mouths. That minty scent and cracking sound come from a fragrant pick-me-up that men, women and even children chew from breakfast until bedtime. The source of their euphoria is “binglang,” the dried fruit of the areca palm, sometimes referred to as betel nut, which sets the nervous system buzzing and warms the body, especially after a large banquet. “It helps with digestion and sobers you up,” said Xie Shuo, a cellphone repairman who added he consumed 100 pods a day. He smiled to reveal blackened gums and stained teeth, one of the less attractive side effects of chewing the fruit. “I’m addicted to binglang, but I really love it so it’s not a problem,” he said. That is a sentiment shared by many of Xiangtan’s one million residents, whose fondness for the treat has fueled the city’s prosperity. The city, in Hunan Province, is China’s leading commercial producer of binglang. Its manufacturers import the fresh ingredients, mostly from the island province of Hainan, and sell the dried husks across Hunan — and to a lesser extent elsewhere. The $1.18 billion industry employs more than 100,000 people in Xiangtan County. No wonder the city government has asked for the area’s seven factories and nearly 50 workshops to increase production to keep the local economy humming through the global financial [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-22T12:37:31-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Oral cancer rates up 280%; betel nut key driver: study

Source: The China Post Author: Staff TAIPEI -- Taiwan's rate of oral cancer — one of the island's top 10 causes of death — has nearly quadrupled in the past 40 years, health experts warned recently, blaming among others the habit of chewing betel nut. A study published by Dr. Liao Yung-po, associate professor of public health at Chung Shan Medical University, showed an increase of 280 percent in oral cancer deaths, with men four times as likely to die of the disease as women. “The death toll for oral cancer in males has been increasing at such an alarming rate that relevant authorities must take note of this situation,” Liao said of his study report, citing statistics compiled by the Department of Health over the past four decades. From 2001 to 2009, the death toll in males was 13.31 per annum for every 100,000 men, up from 3.08 per annum in the period 1971 to 1980, an increase of 330 percent. The overall figures for women were lower, but showed a similar increase, reaching 3.08 per 100,000 women between 2001 and 2009, up from 1.18 in the earlier period, an increase of 160 percent. According to Liao's study, more than 95 percent of oral cavity cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, a type of cancer for which “the possible causes include betel nut chewing, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption,” he said. “Approximately 85 percent of the patients with oral cancer in Taiwan are regular users of betel nuts,” he added.

Charlotte Parker2010-08-20T11:29:17-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Hollywood star’s diagnosis highlights high risk of mouth cancer

Source: www.dentalhealth.org.uk Author: press release THE British Dental Health Foundation, which runs UK Mouth Cancer Action Month each November, is calling for more attention to be paid to mouth cancers reminding people that there is a death from mouth cancer on average every five hours in the UK. Oral health experts and the Foundation are advising the public to regularly check their mouths after news broke this week of actor Michael Douglas being diagnosed with oral cancer. The Academy Award winner has recently been diagnosed with a tumour in his throat, and now faces an eight–week cause of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This high profile case has brought oral cancers into the lime light, and oral health experts are keen to make the public more aware of the key risk factors and early warning signs. Douglas quit smoking in 2006, after a long ‘half a packet a day’ habit. Yet, the possibility of developing oral cancer remains higher for ex–smokers than non–smokers for 20 years after quitting. Tobacco is considered to be the main cause of mouth cancer, with three in four cases being linked to smoking. Drinking in excess is also a known factor, with those who both smoke and drink to excess being up 30 times more likely to be at risk. The Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter said: “It is crucial the public know about the risk factors and early symptoms as early detection can save lives. Survival rates can increase from [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-08-19T19:03:52-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Michael Douglas diagnosed with throat cancer

Source: USA Today Author: Staff Michael Douglas has throat cancer. His spokesperson tells People.com that the actor, 65, has discovered a tumor and will under go eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, and his doctors expect the Wall Street star to make a full recovery. "I am very optimistic," Douglas said in a statement. When we tried to find out more about the diagnosis or about Douglas' history of smoking, the actor's publicist, Allen Burry, declined to comment. In 2006, Michael and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, who is 40 now, were both trying to quit their half-pack a day cigarette habit, reported the Daily Mail. Although Douglas, whose voice does the introduction on NBC's Nightly News, released few details about his tumor, including its exact location, it sounds like of two kinds of tumors: the larynx, or voice box; or the oropharynx, near the tonsils, Robert Haddad, acting head of the head and neck cancer program at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute tells USA TODAY's Liz Szabo. The rigorous treatment regimen suggests the cancer is "advanced," Haddad says, and has spread beyond the throat to the lymph nodes. Although the treatment is very tough, it can cure 50% of 80% of patients, depending on the location and other details of the tumor, says Haddad, who has no direct knowledge of the case. Larynx cancers are usually related to smoking and heavy drinking, Haddad says. Cancers around the tonsils are often caused by a virus called HPV, which also causes cervical cancers. Doctors [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-16T16:00:31-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Oral Cancer Foundation Combines Guerilla Marketing With Tech Savvy for Public Good

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: Staff HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This past weekend the US Open of Surfing, sponsored by action sports industry giant Hurley International was held in "Surf City" attracting over 500,000 visitors during the three-day event. The crowd of sun and surf lovers was dominated by teens and 20 somethings that besides their love of the beach also shared their connectivity to social networking environments, often with multi-functional smart phones. For the Oral Cancer Foundation who needs to spread important medical information about risk factors for the disease they represent, to a group of individuals that are increasingly becoming part of the "at risk" population, this was a mix of ingredients too rich to miss. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/DC51095 ) (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100816/DC51095 ) Oral cancer itself is off the radar of most Americans, let alone the fact that the fastest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, non-smoking, and predominantly white. Historically this has not been the case. Individuals with several decades of tobacco use, in their fifth to seventh decade of life, two-to-one black over white, and 3-1 males over females have been the relatively stable high-risk population for decades. But today, a very common virus is changing all that. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has around 130 versions, 9 are known causes of cancer, and another 6 are often found in association with those. The most commonly known cancer associated with HPV is cervical cancer. But to most Americans the other cancers that HPV [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-22T21:00:30-07:00August, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

HPV-positive oropharnygeal cancer has better prognosis than tobacco-induced cancer

Source: www.enttoday.org Author: Alice Goodma Mounting evidence suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer has an improved prognosis compared with HPV-negative disease. The most recent supportive evidence comes from an analysis of a Phase III trial presented at the 2009 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Our study showed that HPV status is as strong a predictor of outcome as cancer stage for patients with oropharyngeal cancers, even after considering other factors such as age and smoking history, said lead author Maura Gillison, MD, PhD, Professor of Hematology and Oncology, Epidemiology, and Otolaryngology at Ohio State University in Columbus. Dr. Gillison said that tumor HPV status should now be part of the routine workup of patients with oropharyngeal cancers. Oropharyngeal cancers are mainly attributable to chronic tobacco use and smoking, or to HPV infection. Retrospective analyses, meta-analysis, and small trials have suggested that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is a distinct entity, and the present Phase III study provides the most compelling evidence, she said, because it is the largest study to date. It is not clear why HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer has a better prognosis. In the trial, HPV-positive patients were younger, mostly Caucasian, and had improved performance status and smaller tumors. Dr. Gillison said that these factors could have a positive influence on survival. Survival Benefit The retrospective correlative analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0129, presented by Dr. Gillison, focused on outcome according to HPV status. The randomized study included 206 patients with cancers positive for [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-08-16T10:19:03-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

High-risk human papillomavirus in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Source: cebp.aacrjournals.org Authors: Annika Antonsson et al Background: Although most cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in western populations have been attributed to high levels of exposure to tobacco and alcohol, infectious agents have been postulated as possible causes, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV). Methods: To explore this issue, we analyzed HPV DNA prevalence and HPV types together with lifestyle factors, in relation to tumor stage and survival in a low-incidence population. Archived tumor samples from a nationwide cohort of 222 ESCC patients were tested for the presence of HPV DNA by PCR; positive samples were sequenced to determine HPV type, and p16INK4a status was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Of 222 ESCC patients, 8 tested HPV positive (prevalence, 3.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-6.1%), of which 6 were HPV-16 positive and 2 were HPV-35 positive. Four of the eight HPV-positive tumors overexpressed p16INK4a. None of 55 normal esophageal tissue samples from healthy participants had any detectable HPV. Although the numbers were low, it seemed that patients with HPV-positive ESCC tumors were younger than those with HPV-negative tumors (mean age, 60.8 versus 65.3 years, P = 0.18) and had higher body mass index (BMI) throughout life (mean current BMI of 25.1 for HPV positive, 22.2 for HPV negative, P = 0.08; mean BMI at 20 years of 25.8 for HPV positive, 22.1 for HPV negative, P = 0.003). We found no difference between patients with HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors with respect to other lifestyle factors. Conclusions: These findings suggest a very low [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-08-11T16:20:50-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

New cancer radiation technology improves accuracy, drops treatment time in select patients

Source: Medical News Today Author: Staff The Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the world's first to begin using radiation technology that dramatically reduces treatment times. UAB's Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Center is the third U.S. site to acquire TrueBeam technology. TrueBeam, by Varian Medical Systems Inc., can complete a standard 40-minute radiation therapy in less than a minute for select patients. The precision of the instrument, measured in increments of less than a millimeter, comes from real-time patient imaging, positioning, beam shaping and many other data points synchronized continually as treatment progresses. "This technology gives us the tools we need to shrink the number of treatment visits for some patients from weeks to days," says James A. Bonner, M.D., chair of UAB's Department of Radiation Oncology and a senior advisor at the Cancer Center. "Patients coming to UAB can expect leading-edge care with more options for fightingcancer and, hopefully, improved chances for survival." TrueBeam made its debut in the United States earlier in 2010 at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., and at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. TrueBeam can be used to treat tumors anywhere in the body where radiation treatment is indicated. The technology opens the door to new treatment plans and improved quality of life in patients who have challenging cancers such as in the lung, breast, abdomen and head and neck, as well as cancers that are treated with radiotherapy. However, the technology is still [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-22T12:38:34-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Finally, a positive message for smokers sick of revulsion

Source: The Sydney Morning Harald Author: Ennis Cehic Ads worse than zombie movies just make you want to turn the TV off. QUIT Victoria has told us about the detrimental effects of smoking for years, and advertisers have focused on communicating to the public the risks. As such, we have seen ads that are so scary, so full of brutal detail, that you cannot stomach watching and want to turn off the television. When the packaging got worse, smokers started begging retailers to give them the pack with the ''statistics'' - the others were just too horrible to look at. From cut-up brains on a silver platter to X-rays of badly damaged lungs, to the camera view of the smoke literally going down one's throat, the point was hammered home - smoking is very, very bad. But recently, a new kind of anti-smoking ad is appearing on TV. It has no physical lungs in a surgeon's hands, no brains cut up on the screen, no little kids crying at the airport and definitely no cancerous mouths staring at you. No, this is a fast-paced ad about a man who has been attempting to quit for a while and it portrays the difficult stages he goes through. He quits, then he starts again, he quits and then he starts again, and at the end of the ad, he hasn't had a cigarette for more than three years. I watched the ad and felt something tingle in my stomach. I smiled and wanted [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-08-11T11:13:05-07:00August, 2010|Oral Cancer News|