• 4/12/2005
  • Charleston, SC
  • Press Release
  • PR Newswire

Seventy Percent of Children Who Worry Their Parents’ Tobacco Use Will Cause Serious Illness Want Them to Be Checked by a Doctor, New Survey Finds

Legendary college football coach, Lou Holtz, whose wife Beth survived a battle with throat cancer, is urging at-risk Americans — especially parents — to get screened for cancer during Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW), April 11-17. OHANCAW is sponsored by the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation (YBF),
and is highlighted by a nationwide day of free screenings on Friday, April 15.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 65,000 Americans will be diagnosed with cancers of the oral, head and neck region in 2005, and more than 12,500 will die.

“Early detection of oral, head and neck cancers saves lives, so
parents — do right — get screened for your kids,” said Holtz, who is also the father of four. “As with every serious obstacle in life or athletics, you have to tackle problems early. We were very lucky that Beth recovered and is still enjoying daily life with our family.”

Recently retired from the University of South Carolina, Lou Holtz enjoyed an illustrious, 33-year career as head coach of six NCAA Division I-A football teams and earned three National Coach of the Year awards (1977, 1988 and 1998). Ranked eighth among college football coaches with the most wins, Holtz led his teams to 249 victories, a national championship (University of Notre Dame in 1988) and 12 college bowl games. One of Holtz’ greatest accomplishments came in 1988 and 1989, when he led Notre Dame on a record 23-game winning streak, the longest in the school’s football history.

Results from a new survey released by YBF indicate that 62 percent of U.S. children, whose parents have ever been tobacco users, are worried that their parents may develop a serious illness. Of those worried, 70 percent say that it’s extremely or very important that their parents get checked by a doctor.

“Looking for oral, head and neck cancer is critical, especially for those who have habits that put them at risk, such as smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption,” said Terry Day, M.D., president of the YBF, associate professor, Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, and director, Division of Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South
Carolina. “Oral, head and neck cancer can be best treated when caught in its early stages, giving patients a great chance for a cure and a high quality of life after treatment.”

About OHNC
Oral and head and neck cancer (OHNC) refers to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck region, such as the oral cavity (mouth); the pharynx (throat); paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity (nose); the larynx (voice box); thyroid and salivary glands; the skin of the face and neck; and the lymph nodes in the neck. Americans don’t readily recognize the common warning signs of OHNC, which are:

* Red or white patch in the mouth that lasts more than two weeks
* Change in voice or hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
* Sore throat that does not subside
* Pain or swelling in the mouth or neck that does not subside
* Lump in the neck

Other warning signs that occur during later stages of the disease include:

* Ear pain
* Numbness
* Difficulty breathing, swallowing and eating

Treatment of OHNC varies depending upon the extent of disease at the
initial diagnosis. Most patients are managed with surgery, but radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may also be utilized. After undergoing radiation, some patients may develop a complication
called xerostomia, or dry mouth, which is caused by damage to their salivary glands. Xerostomia, a common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, can affect one’s ability to taste, swallow and even speak, and be life-long in duration.

Beth Holtz, who underwent 83 rounds of radiation treatment for throat cancer, still lives with the effects of xerostomia and
carries a water bottle around with her wherever she goes to aid swallowing and ease her discomfort.

Surgery can leave patients with scarring and disfigurement of the face and neck, as well as alterations in speech, sight, smell, chewing, swallowing and taste perception. Recent advances in reconstructive surgery have minimized some of these problems. The most effective prevention strategy remains the cessation of risky behaviors such as smoking, use of chewing tobacco and
excessive alcohol consumption.

About the Survey
Commissioned by YBF and conducted by Harris Interactive(R), survey results reveal that nearly two in three children (64 percent) have a parent who has smoked or used chewing tobacco (and thus is at risk for oral, head and neck cancers). Of the more than 1,200 U.S. youths ages 8-18 polled:

* More than eight in 10 (84 percent) know that smoking or chewing tobacco can cause head and neck (mouth and throat) cancers.

* Sixty-two percent of children whose parents have ever smoked or used chewing tobacco worry to some extent that their parents may develop a serious illness because of this history.

* Children whose parents have ever smoked or used chewing tobacco are 50 percent more likely to frequently worry about their parents’ health than those children whose parents never smoked (25 percent v. 17 percent).

* Nearly all young people whose parents are currently smoking or using chewing tobacco want them to stop (96 percent).

SOURCE Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation