Oral Cancer News – Page 244 – The Oral Cancer Foundation News Archive

Boot scootin’ for oral cancer screening…again!

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: John Pohl Nashville Hygienists Walk to Promote Oral Cancer Detection For the second straight year, the Nashville Area Dental Hygienists’ Society (NADHS) has organized a successful walk to raise both oral cancer awareness and funding for the Oral Cancer Foundation. Despite grey skies and cold temperatures, the $7,700 raised by “Boot Scootin’ for Oral Cancer Screening II” represented more than a 20% increase over the inaugural event’s results. The walk took place took place the morning of Saturday, March 13 at Nashville’s Centennial Park. Outgoing NADHS president Nicki Raines, who had convinced the organization to embrace the cause of oral cancer detection when she began her two-year presidential term, and her 6-person committee worked countless hours to ensure that the event would top last year’s efforts. Before the walk, participants were treated to three inspiring speakers. Two are oral cancer survivors: Kathi Gill, a Georgia resident who attended but did not speak at the 2009 walk, and ShayLynn Grant, a 24-year-old from Kentucky. The third speaker was Cydney Miller, Mrs. Tennessee International, who is a staunch advocate of early cancer detection. As with last year’s event, Nashville area merchants outdid themselves with their display of southern hospitality. Auction and raffle items donated include bags of groceries from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, gift cards from Wal-Mart, fine wines from anonymous donors, and autographed memorabilia by such Nashville area superstars as George Strait, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Brooks and Dunn (whose “Boot Scoot Boogie” [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-05-09T09:57:11-07:00May, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

The little town that could!

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: John Pohl Rossville, Indiana Delivers Big Results With Oral Cancer Walk Don’t tell Kelly Hodson and Shana Frey that a town with a population of 1,513 is too small for an oral cancer walk. The Oral Cancer Foundation certainly won’t. Kelly is a certified dental assistant and Shana a registered dental hygienist for Rossville Family Dentistry, the best—and only—dental practice in Rossville, Indiana. The practice is owned by a mother-and-daughter team: mom Dr. Alice Sue Green has been practicing for almost 40 years, while daughter Dr. Jennifer Green-Springer has been at it for 11 years. The practice’s all-femaie staff understandably has a soft spot for women’s health issues. About a year ago, after participating in breast cancer walks in Indianapolis and Lafayette, Kelly and Shana decided to organize their own cancer walk. Given that they work as dental professionals, it seemed natural to them that oral cancer would be the cause they would target. So Kelly started surfing online and quickly discovered the Oral Cancer Foundation. Soon thereafter, she was in touch with Susan Lauria, the Foundation’s New Jersey-based Event Coordinator. As Kelly put it, “I had lots of questions, and Susan had all the answers.” To promote the event, Susan advised Kelly and Shana to send letters and posters to dental practices in Lafayette and other nearby towns, and to contact newspapers and radio stations in those areas as well. They also relied heavily on word-of-mouth support. And support is exactly what they [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-05-09T09:57:36-07:00May, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

No choo choo needed–Chattanooga walks for oral cancer

Source: The Oral Cancer Foundation Author: John Pohl Chattanooga Walk Promotes Early Detection of Oral Cancer! Chattanooga, Tennessee derives its name from a Cherokee word that means “big catch” and refers to the great fishing that can be found on the Tennessee River. And “big catch” is exactly what the cause of oral cancer detection has landed in the way of Jeanna Richelson, a very determined Chattanooga-based engineer and oral cancer survivor who is very clearly on a mission. On Saturday, April 10, Jeanna organized the First Annual Chattanooga Oral Cancer Awareness Walk, which raised over $18,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation. According to Foundation founder and executive director Brian Hill, “I don’t believe there has ever been an oral cancer walk that was this successful in its first year. This was an absolutely amazing effort by Jeanna.” Less than one year ago, it dawned on Jeanna that while other types of cancer had support groups, there was no support group for oral cancer in the Chattanooga area. Not one to sit around and wait for things to happen, Jeanna let local hospitals and media know that she was starting such a group. Only one other person attended the group’s first meeting in 2009. Fortunately, word soon started to spread, and today the group numbers 20 members. One of these members is Kathi Gill, who lives just across the Tennessee-Georgia border and who had attended an oral cancer walk in Nashville in 2009. Last fall, Kathi suggested that the group [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-05-09T09:58:17-07:00May, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Oral cancer failed to silence Sen. Diane Allen

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer Author: Cynthia Burton As Diane Allen lay on a gurney at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, she knew she had to learn to let go. She had found the right doctor, the right hospital. She told relatives and close friends she was about to undergo surgery for an aggressive form of oral cancer. Part of her tongue and part of the floor of her mouth were to be removed in that November surgery. Her doctors had told her she probably would never speak normally again. So, the woman who had made a living talking - as a television news reporter and anchor in Philadelphia and Chicago and most recently as a Republican New Jersey state senator - probably would lose one of her greatest assets. But that's not what made her tear up the most as she recently recalled her feelings over the last few months. The hardest part was the thought of never again being able to read to her three grandchildren. She tried to take control of that, too. She recorded CDs for them, reading Goodnight Moon and "A Visit From St. Nicholas." Everything she could control was under control. And then, as she lay on the gurney, she gave up control. She felt a sense of calm. Allen, a Quaker, said, "I learned submission for the first time in my life, to rest in the Lord." She woke up able to speak, not well, but people could understand her. After months of [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-05-04T20:45:10-07:00May, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Integration of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors with preoperative chemoradiation

Source: Clincancerres Author: Annelies Debucquoy1, Jean-Pascal Machiels2, William H. McBride3, and Karin Haustermans1 Corresponding Author: Annelies Debucquoy, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Department of Radiation Oncology, CDG Building, Box 815, UH Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Phone: 32-16-346900; Fax: 32-16-346905; E-mail:[email protected]. Abstract In many different cancer cell types, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway becomes hyperactivated because of overproduction of the ligand, overproduction of the receptor, or constitutive activation of the receptor. The overproduction of EGFR and its ligands correlates with poor prognosis in several solid tumors such as lung, colon, and ovary. These observations led to the development of EGFR inhibitors for anticancer treatment. In the last few years, promising results have been obtained in several tumor types, with EGFR inhibitors given as monotherapy or in combined treatments. In particular, cetuximab in combination with curative-intent radiotherapy in head and neck cancer increases median survival over radiation alone. Similarly, the same approach might benefit patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Unfortunately, the first clinical studies combining chemoradiation with cetuximab in rectal cancer gave disappointing results. Translational research suggested that the low response rate observed might have been due to the strong antiproliferative effect of cetuximab that may have compromised the activity of chemotherapeutics that target proliferating cells. This result indicates the need for more translational research to unravel how the molecular mechanisms might be manipulated to optimize the combined treatment regimen and to identify biomarkers that can select those patients who will derive most benefit. Clin Cancer Res; 16(10); OF1–6. ©2010 AACR. [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-05-03T18:01:14-07:00May, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Clinical significance of phosphatidyl inositol synthase overexpression in oral cancer

Source: 7thspace.co Authors: Jatinder Kaur et al. We reported increased levels of Phosphatidyl Inositol synthase (PI synthase), (enzyme that catalyses phosphatidyl inositol (PI) synthesis-implicated in intracellular signaling and regulation of cell growth) in smokeless tobacco (ST) exposed oral cell cultures by differential display. This study determined the clinical significance of PI synthase overexpression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and premalignant lesions (leukoplakia), and identified the downstream signaling proteins in PI synthase pathway that are perturbed by smokeless tobacco (ST) exposure. Method: Tissue microarray (TMA) Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, Confocal laser scan microscopy, RT-PCR were performed to define the expression of PI synthase in clinical samples and in oral cell culture systems. Results: Significant increase in PI synthase immunoreactivity was observed in premalignant lesions and OSCCs as compared to oral normal tissues (p=0.000). Further, PI synthase expression was significantly associated with de-differentiation of OSCCs, (p=0.005) and tobacco consumption (p=0.03, OR=9.0). Exposure of oral cell systems to smokeless tobacco (ST) in vitro confirmed increase in PI synthase, Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and cyclin D1 levels. Conclusion: Collectively, increased PI synthase expression was found to be an early event in oral cancer and a target for smokeless tobacco. Authors: Jatinder Kaur, Meenakshi Sawhney, Siddartha Datta, GuptaNootan, Shukla, Anurag, Srivastava, Ranju Ralhan Source: BMC Cancer 2010, 10:168

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-04-28T13:38:38-07:00April, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Smokeless tobacco risks ‘overblown’?

Source: www.tobacco-news.net Author: staff The Wall Street Journal “Numbers Guy” blog said that while smokeless tobacco products remain far less popular than cigarettes in the United States, a collection of products that deliver nicotine without smoke—including dip, chew, snuff and newer items that look more like chewing gum—have sparked a heated debate about health risks. Opponents of these products have presented numbers that suggest smokeless tobacco is an enormous public-health threat akin to cigarettes, while supporters, including some scientists, suggest smokeless items could offer a solution to smoking’s toll on public health. Both claims are based on misinterpretations of the data, said the report. Critics of smokeless tobacco have spoken out recently about elevated risks of oral cancer and dangers these items pose to children who accidentally ingest them. All of these risks appear to be overblown, said the blog, particularly compared with smoking, which is far more likely to kill than smokeless alternatives. But researchers who recommend these products as alternatives for smokers seeking to quit also are relying on hazy figures, the report added. Much of their evidence comes from Sweden, where use of smokeless products has risen in recent decades as smoking, and lung-cancer rates, have fallen. Many scientists who study tobacco use remain unpersuaded that the drop in cancer rates stemmed from the increase in use of smokeless products. In pressing the case for more stringent regulation of smokeless tobacco, a National Cancer Institute physician last week testified before Congress that smokeless-tobacco products can multiply users’ [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-04-26T19:22:22-07:00April, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Robotic tongue cancer surgery-Mayo Clinic

Fighting cancer is not easy. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can be very hard on your body. Take head and neck cancers, for example. These tumors are often hard to reach. Doctors have to cut through bones such as your jaw to reach them. Now, doctors at Mayo Clinic are using robots to access these cancers through your mouth, leaving face bones intact.

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-04-26T19:14:12-07:00April, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Is a tobacco company using packaging to target children?

Source: www.packworld.com Author: Sterling Anthony Allegations are that recent product launches by R.J. Reynolds encourage nicotine consumption by children and that that's the company's strategy. In particular, it's alleged that packaging is a core component of that strategy. It's not the first time that R.J. Reynolds has been accused of child exploitation. Remember Joe Camel? But, the more recent allegations are not a case of Joe Camel redux; this time, they address both physical components of packaging—graphics and structure. Of no surprise is that R.J. Reynolds roundly denies the allegations. It is not the objective of this article to judge the validity of the allegations but rather to examine them for lessons and insights. Consumer packaged goods companies (CPGC's) outside of the tobacco industry that view themselves insulated from the controversy are mistaken. There can be consequences that can impact CPGC's, in general. That argument will be developed subsequently, but first, some background. Going up in smokeless Camel Snus (the Swedish word for snuff rhymes with noose) is pasteurized tobacco in small, porous pouches, packaged 15 to a metal box. A pouch is placed inside the mouth, under the upper lip; but, while being smokeless like snuff, Snus does not necessitate spitting. The tobacco juice is swallowed, facilitated by the product's low-moisture and low-salt contents which trigger less saliva and by a variety of "flavors." Snus would seem to address at least two adult groups. One is users of conventional snuff, who want to indulge their desire for nicotine discreetly, [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-04-26T12:43:26-07:00April, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Faltering cancer trials

Source: nytimes.com Author: editorial The nation’s most important system for judging the clinical effectiveness of cancer treatments is approaching “a state of crisis.” That is the disturbing verdict of experts assembled by the National Academy of Sciences to review the performance of clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. Unless the shortcomings are remedied, some of President Obama’s ambitious health care reforms will be jeopardized and his audacious goal of finding “a cure for cancer in our time” will have almost no chance at all. The most shocking deficiency highlighted by the report, issued by the academy’s Institute of Medicine, is that about 40 percent of all advanced clinical trials sponsored by the Cancer Institute are never completed. That is an incredible waste of effort and money, and a huge obstacle at a time when researchers are developing promising new therapies that must be rigorously tested. These large, government-sponsored studies are supposed to be the gold standard — and very different from the narrow, occasionally biased studies sponsored by manufacturers seeking approval of a new drug. The government-sponsored trials can be invaluable in comparing one therapy against another (manufacturers rarely want to put their products up against a competitor’s), combinations of therapies, or therapies for rare diseases with little commercial potential. So it is especially worrying to hear the experts say that the system — run by the Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health — is so mired in cumbersome procedures that it needs to be completely [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-04-25T06:32:15-07:00April, 2010|Oral Cancer News|