tobacco – Page 25 – Oral Cancer News

HPV is changing the face of head and neck cancers

Source: www.hemonctoday.com Author: Christen Cona In February, at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium in Chandler, Ariz., Maura Gillison, MD, PhD, professor and Jeg Coughlin Chair of Cancer Research at The Ohio State University in Columbus, presented data that showed that the proportion of all head and neck squamous cell cancers that were of the oropharynx — which are most commonly HPV-positive cancers — increased from 18% in 1973 to 32% in 2005. In addition, studies from the United States, Europe, Denmark and Australia indicate that HPV-positive patients have a more than twofold increased cancer survival than HPV-negative patients, according to Gillison. With the rising incidence of HPV-related oropharynx cancers, it will soon be the predominant type of cancer in the oral or head and neck region, according to Andy Trotti, MD, director of radiation oncology clinical research, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, in Tampa, Fla. “We should be focusing on HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer because it will dominate the field of head and neck cancers for many years,” he said during an interview with HemOnc Today . “It is certainly an important population for which to continue to conduct research.” Because HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer is emerging as a distinct biological entity, the recent rise in incidence will significantly affect treatment, and prevention and screening techniques, essentially reshaping current clinical practice. Social change driving incidence In the analysis performed by Gillison and colleagues, trends demonstrated that change in the rates of head and neck cancers [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-27T10:24:39-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Professor: Oral cancer deadlier than most

Source: enterprise-journal.com Author: Charles Dunagin Americans are dying of self-inflicted diseases that, for many, are “preventible,” says a professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Dental School. Dr. Karen Moak Crews, a 1975 graduate of McComb High School, is oral oncology and bio behavioral medicine director at UMC as well as a professor. Speaking to the McComb Rotary Club Wednesday, she warned against tobacco use of any type, including smokeless tobacco. Tobacco is the No. 1 cause of diseases and death in America, she said. Her main topic was oral cancer, which she said doesn’t get the publicity of some of the other cancers but is deadlier than most. The five-year survival rate for cancers in the mouth is 50 percent, she said, adding a big problem is late diagnosis. She urged regular screening by dentists for the disease. Risk factors, she said, include age, genetic mutation, nutrition, a sexually spread virus, alcohol and tobacco use. Citing statistics that alcohol in moderation — two ounces daily for a male and one ounce for a female — is considered safe by medical professionals, Crews said “there is no safe level for tobacco.”

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-25T05:17:03-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Asian communities warned of tobacco risks

Source: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk Author: staff Local health experts are warning the Asian community that an after-dinner treat offered to family and friends could have deadly consequences. Chewing tobacco is a hidden killer say experts, because people do not know it can cause cancer. Dr Amjad Hussain from the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Oral Health Promotion Department said: “Chewing tobacco has many disguises, such as paan masala, gutkha and bidis, and is often offered to guests at family events and on social occasions. “Its bright, professional packaging hides its deadly potential. People may not even realise it’s tobacco, it’s addictive and, like cigarette tobacco, contains many cancer-causing carcinogens. As it is chewed, people keep it in the mouth for a long time increasing the risk of mouth cancer. “Mouth cancer is also one of the more difficult cancers to treat effectively. So people need to know the risks and be visiting their dentists regularly so any signs can be spotted early.” To highlight the risks, and reduce the harm chewing tobacco can do, council and NHS health experts recently joined forces to host an event at Rochdale’s Bangladesh Association Community Project. At the event, Centre Manager Mr Habibul Ahad said: “I have chewed paan masala for a good many years. After dinner, I’ll often sit on the settee with a jar of paan masala beside me. It’s something I do while I relax and talk - a social pastime. “I was shocked at how harmful chewing tobacco can be. My mother-in-law [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-21T19:40:08-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

A year later, the tobacco war still isn’t won

Source: www.mercurynews.com Author: Patty Fisher A year ago this week, I was celebrating with health advocates across the country when they won their 20-year battle to get the federal government to regulate dumb and deadly cigarettes. I can't believe it took that long to convince Congress that nicotine, the powerful addictive drug in tobacco, should be treated like any other drug sold to the public. After years of marketing cancer sticks to kids and denying that they manipulated the amount of nicotine in their products to hook smokers, shameless tobacco companies at last had to answer to the Food and Drug Administration. They were given a year to stop their clever tricks such as making candy-flavored smokes and using labels like "light" and "low-tar" to make cigarettes sound less harmful. On Tuesday, the new rules will take effect. But those devoted to the anti-smoking cause know the toxic battles are far from over. With a $12.8 billion marketing budget, tobacco companies will find subtle new ways to attract new smokers. "They are always just one step ahead of us," said Margo Sidener of Breathe California. "The tobacco companies have the best advertising people in the world, unfortunately." Smoking on the screen It doesn't help that cigarette makers get lots of free advertising in movies and on TV. When Sigourney Weaver infamously puffed on a cigarette in "Avatar," it wasn't just a ridiculous endorsement of smoking for the most massive worldwide audience of children and adults ever. Worse, it made no [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-21T19:31:00-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

HPV-positive tumors increase chance of survival

Source: Dotmed Author: Heather Mayer For some time now, experts have suspected a link between the human papillomavirus and oral cancer. DOTmed News reported in April that HPV could be linked to a nearly one-quarter increase in mouth and throat cancers in the United States (see DM 12140). But now it's been shown that not only can HPV cause oral cancer, but it can increase a patient's chance of survival, according to a study from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. The report, published last week in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the presence of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, is the most important predictor of survival for people with oropharyngeal cancer -- cancer of the back of the mouth. Lifetime smoking history and cancer stage follow HPV as survival predictors. "We believe HPV cancers are likely more susceptible to radiation treatment than tobacco tumors," says Brian Hill, founder and executive director of the Oral Cancer Foundation and cancer survivor. While historically, most oral cancers were caused by tobacco and alcohol, within the past couple of decades, HPV has become a key player in causing the cancer, explains Hill. He points out that the cells in the back of mouth are attractive to the virus. Lead researcher and neck cancer specialist Dr. Maura Gillison, conducted the retrospective study, analyzing the tumors and outcomes of 323 patients with stage 3 or 4 oropharyngeal cancer. Of these patients, 206 had HPV-positive tumors, and 117 tested negative [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-06-14T12:18:30-07:00June, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

CDC: Global tobacco marketing is reaching young women

Source: CDC Author: Staff As World Recognizes “World No Tobacco Day 2010” Although women account for only about 20 percent of the world’s 1.3 billion smokers, tobacco use among women is on the rise. Particularly troubling is new data from three countries —Bangladesh,Thailand, and Uruguay—indicating greater exposure to cigarette marketing among young women (ages 15 to 24) than older women, according to a CDC study. In Bangladesh, exposure to bidi cigarettes (80.1 percent) and smokeless tobacco (69.9 percent) marketing was widespread among women and did not vary by age. Bidi cigarettes are hand rolled cigarettes made of tobacco that are primarily used in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Launched in 2007, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) is a nationally representative household survey of persons ages 15 years and older being implemented in 14 countries around the world. Bangladesh, Thailand and Uruguay are the first three countries for which 2009 data is available. Before GATS, no one standard global survey for adults has consistently tracked tobacco use and other tobacco control measures. “Tobacco kills more people each year than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, and tobacco deaths are increasing steadily,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “The results of these surveys show one of the key reasons for the tobacco epidemic – marketing, including to women and girls. Countries around the world should establish and enforce comprehensive bans on advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of tobacco products,” he said. Other report highlights: In Bangladesh, 1.5 percent of women are current smokers, compared with 44.7 percent [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-06-14T19:58:02-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

FDA to examine cigarette ingredients

Source: Health.com Author: Amanda Gardner MONDAY, JUNE 7 (Health.com) — If you want to know what’s in your TV dinner or Twinkies—a big if—all you need to do is look on the package. But if you smoke cigarettes and want to know what you’re inhaling, you’re out of luck. For years, tobacco companies have been lacing cigarettes with hundreds of chemicals and additives ranging from ammonia to cocoa, reportedly to heighten the kick of nicotine, improve flavor, and mask the harshness of smoke. Very little is known about the health effects of these ingredients, however, since the tobacco industry isn’t required to disclose them publicly or explain their purpose. The mystery may soon come to an end. On Tuesday, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel will meet to investigate what “harmful or potentially harmful” ingredients are in the more than 300 billion cigarettes smoked in the U.S. each year. After a second meeting this summer, the panel will provide a list of ingredients and recommendations to the FDA, which was granted the authority by Congress to regulate tobacco products in 2009. “Maybe with a new FDA ruling, companies will have to tell us what they put in these products and why,” says Norman Edelman, MD, the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. “The concern is that these [ingredients] have health risks and we don’t really know what they are.” Sixty years ago cigarettes contained few additives. But as tobacco companies sought to reduce the levels of nicotine [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-06-09T12:38:21-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Mouth cancer patients ‘ignore’ symptoms

Source: www.dentistry.co.uk Author: staff Many mouth cancer sufferers ignore the first symptoms of the disease and do not seek the advice of a healthcare professional during the early stages – the results of a new study have shown. The research, which interviewed relatively young mouth cancer patients in Scotland, found that most had heard of oral cancer but they didn't think their symptoms were indicative of the life-threatening illness. Furthermore, 40% of participants decided to self manage their symptoms and sought over-the-counter treatments which were suggested by a pharmacist. Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter says the study further confirms gaps in understanding and awareness of oral cancer. Dr Carter explains: 'Public awareness of oral cancer and the associated risk factors appears to be too low here in the UK. 'An awareness of the risk factors and symptom recognition by the public is a critical issue in determining survival rates, as early detection greatly improves the chances of survival.' Almost 9% of patients who were interviewed had a prior knowledge of oral cancer and the causes such as tobacco and alcohol. However, this prior knowledge was neither instrumental for them to suspect they may have mouth cancer nor did it prompt them to visit a healthcare professional in the first place. None of the interviewees thought it would happen to them. A third of interviewees mentioned their first sign as some kind of 'lump', a few described a ‘white spot' ‘mark' or ‘patch' and two [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-07T14:58:03-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

ASCO: Second study links HPV to mouth cancer outcomes

Source: www.medpagetoday.com/ Author: Michael Smith, North American Correspondent, MedPage Today Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection predicts a better chance of survival in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, researchers said. In a retrospective analysis of a major radiation therapy trial, more than four-fifths of patients whose tumors were HPV-positive were alive three years after treatment, according to Maura Gillison, MD, PhD, of Ohio State University in Columbus, and colleagues. In contrast, fewer than six of 10 patients with HPV-negative tumors were still alive at the three-year mark, Gillison and colleagues reported online in the New England Journal of Medicine, in an article released to coincide with a presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting here. The study follows a report earlier at the meeting that found a similar pattern among patients enrolled in a chemotherapy trial. The virus is, of course, well known to cause cervical cancer. The New England Journal study adds to the evidence that "HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma represents a distinct clinicopathological entity associated with a better prognosis than HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma," said Douglas Lowy, MD, of the NIH, and Karl Munger, PhD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Writing in an accompanying editorial, Lowy and Munger argued that if the diseases are distinct, "their treatment or prevention might benefit from different approaches." One possibility, they said, would be to target HPV proteins to treat the disease in some patients, while prevention might involve vaccination against the virus. Gillison and colleagues looked at the [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-06-07T16:09:05-07:00June, 2010|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Oral cancer doesn’t silence North Carolina man

Source: The Cherokee Scout Author: Lizz Harold Marble – Switching out one form of tobacco for another, Rick Miller, 44, learned how to quit smoking and dipping the hard way. Miller went to a doctor in March to see if an ulcer inside his mouth could be removed. He expected a round of antibiotics or oral surgery. He figured he would be back to dipping as usual after it was taken care of. “I really didn’t have any symptoms. I got an ulcer underneath my tongue. They thought it was all it was,” Miller said. Miller’s wife, Nicolia, did what most people do when they suspect they have an ailment. She went online and did an Internet search. After doing her own research, she was convinced it was mouth cancer, and Miller decided to see a specialist to see if their suspicions were correct. “Everything happened so fast after that,” Miller said. Informed by the specialist that he had oral cancer, he was immediately set up with a chemotherapy and radiation doctor. The father of four, two who are twin toddlers, had to undergo bouts of chemotherapy – including days where it was pumping into him everyday. From dipping to smoking Eight years ago, he stopped a 21-year smoking habit and began dipping tobacco. After more than 30 years of combined tobacco use, Miller has been forced to give up his addiction. “I gave up smoking and needed something to fill the void,” Miller said. He said he got a [...]

Charlotte Parker2010-06-03T15:55:07-07:00June, 2010|Oral Cancer News|