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Virus Behind Oral Cancer Epidemic

Study Shows 'Startling Increase' in Oral Cancer Is Linked to Sexually Transmitted HPV Source: WebMD Health News By: Daniel DeNoon Researchers warn of an ongoing epidemic of oral cancer caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). A study in Stockholm, Sweden, finds that cases of oral cancer -- primarily cancer of the tonsils -- increased sevenfold from 1970 to 2007. They find that while HPV caused only 54% of oral cancers from 1998-1999, it caused 84% of these cancers in 2006-2007. "It looks like HPV-positive oral cancers are rising quite sharply in the past 10 years, while HPV-negative oral cancers went down. That is why we say it is an epidemic," study leader Tina Dalianis, MD, PhD, professor of tumor biology at Sweden's Karolinska Institute, tells WebMD. HPV is a well-known cause of cervical cancer. But researchers have only recently begun to appreciate its role in oral cancer, says HPV-oral cancer expert Gypsyamber D'Souza, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "Yes there is a startling increase in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer, and that increase is being driven by HPV," D'Souza tells WebMD. "But while many experts agree that there's an epidemic rise in HPV-related oral cancer, the cancer remains rare." The risk of developing oral cancer increases with the lifetime number of oral or vaginal sex partners, but many people with HPV-related oral cancer have five or fewer lifetime sexual partners. Men are more likely to get oral cancer than are women, and people with [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-10-18T09:25:43-07:00October, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Oral Cancer Foundation founder named Survivor Circle Award winner by ASTRO

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has named Brian Hill of Newport Beach, Calif., as its 2010 Survivor Circle Award winner. Hill will be recognized with a trophy and a $1,000 prize during the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, during ASTRO's 52nd Annual Meeting in San Diego. He has chosen to donate the funds from the award to benefit The Oral Cancer Foundation, the nonprofit he started a decade ago. The Survivor Circle Award recognizes a cancer survivor who has given back to the community by devoting his or her time to helping others with cancer. Hill was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic tonsil cancer in 1997. When he was going through treatment, he had many questions about side effects and realized there was a lack of information and awareness about head and neck cancer even though the disease has a very high death rate, due to it being caught at a late stage in most cases. "There was a huge lack of information available, and I was desperate to find someone to talk to who had gone through the same thing I was experiencing," Hill said. "I knew that if I was feeling this way, there had to be others feeling my frustrations too. I then became a student of the disease. " After Hill completed his grueling but successful radiation treatments at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, he and his wife Ingrid founded The Oral Cancer Foundation in 1999, which is now a national [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-10-15T15:42:57-07:00October, 2010|OCF In The News|

ACOG Endorses Guidelines on HPV Vaccination

Source: MedPage Today Author: John Gever The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is adding its weight to recommendations that 11- and 12-year-old girls be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and that "catch-up" shots are a good idea for unvaccinated teens and young women up to age 26. In a new statement, ACOG's Committee on Adolescent Health Care also stressed that Pap smears are still necessary for women starting at 21, even if they've been vaccinated against HPV. Current vaccines do not protect against all viral strains, and vaccination does not clear preexisting infections. Two HPV vaccines are now available: a bivalent product (Cervarix) that protects against genotypes 16 and 18; and a quadrivalent product (Gardasil) that protects against the same two strains plus genotypes 6 and 11. The new statement, published online in Obstetrics & Gynecology, updates one issued in 2006 when the quadrivalent product was approved. The bivalent vaccine was approved last October. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that girls first receive HPV immunization at age 11 or 12, before becoming sexually active, and the ACOG committee said that was appropriate in most cases. "Depending on the circumstances, the vaccine can be given to individuals as young as age 9 years," the committee indicated. Vaccination before the start of sexual activity ensures maximal effectiveness, but ACIP has recommended catch-up vaccination for sexually active young women who have not received either product. The ACOG committee endorsed the recommendation, noting that the vaccines may even be given [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-10-13T16:40:03-07:00October, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

HPV ‘Epidemic’ Behind Increases in Oral Cancer

Source: MedPage Today Author: Crystal Phend Rising rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma may stem from a new epidemic of sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a review. The incidence of oral cancer has been on the rise over recent decades in the U.S. and some northern European countries, noted Torbjörn Ramqvist, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and Tina Dalianis, of the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control in Solna, Sweden. The corresponding increase in the percentage of those tumors positive for HPV over the past 10 years isn't simply because of more sensitive testing, they wrote in the November issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. For example, the Swedish Cancer Registry documented a 2.8-fold increase in tonsillar cancer around Stockholm from 1970 to 2002. Examination of all available tonsillar cancer samples indicated a rise in HPV-positive tumors over this period from 23% to 68%, with a further jump to 93% by 2007. Similar patterns were seen for tumors at the base of the tongue, the second most common type of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. "We suggest that this increase is caused by a slow epidemic of HPV infection–induced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma," Ramqvist and Dalianis wrote in the paper. Changes in sexual patterns are likely to blame, "such as increased oral sex or increasing numbers of sex partners," they added. The HPV-positive rate is much higher -- at 45% to 100% -- in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas than for other types of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, in which [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-10-13T16:37:25-07:00October, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Virtual Fine Art Gallery TheArtGallerist.com Launches to Fulfill Dream of Cancer Survivor

Laguna Beach, CA, October 08, 2010 — For cancer survivor Brian Siedlecki, doing something meaningful and important is a requirement. With a clean bill of health and a mission to create something that would give him total fulfillment, he launched TheArtGallerist.com, a virtual fine art gallery based in the beautiful community of Laguna Beach that sells juried original art and fine art prints. “I want to make original fine art accessible to the millions of art collectors and buyers around the world who understand the effect art can have on one’s environment, emotions, perspective, and who appreciate those that have the talent to express themselves through their art,” said Siedlecki. As a result of being diagnosed three and half years ago with oral cancer, Brian had to make a difficult choice and retire. The treatment impacted his ability to speak clearly, so when deciding what he would like to do next, he chose to merge his passion for art and his success in business to launch a virtual company, TheArtGallerist.com. TheArtGallerist.com only represents a limited number of artists whose work must first be approved by a panel of professional artists and critics, ensuring only the highest quality for its customers. Artists must exhibit extraordinary technical skills, an authentic, distinctive style along with a unique and personal interpretation or point of view. TheArtGallerist.com is divided into three separate fine art “exhibits” – With one for Student artists, a second for Emerging artists, and a third for Professional artists, visitors are provided [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-10-08T09:39:12-07:00October, 2010|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|

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|