| | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 53 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 53 | Any blood serum test for HPV which will likely be a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is useless to you. All it MIGHT show is that you have developed an antibody to HPV. Where (anatomically) and when that infection took place, or if it has persisted will not be revealed to you via this kind of testing. OCF is currently working with a company on the development of an intra oral test that could be used to screen for the virus, but that is at least 1-2 years from a commercially available test. Anyway, the insurance company isn't going to cover this since it is not predictive of anything. Please do not put your phone numbers on a public forum like this. I asked if people would please email me the information and I would forward it to 20/20. If you do this before I leave to lecture at the University of Illinois on Monday afternoon I think there is still time to forward it to 20/20. By the by I did not contact Gail... she is out of the country.
Last edited by Brian Hill; 02-10-2008 01:32 PM.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 735 | Brian I am a little late in responding ..BUt I never smoked ..ok I tried it when I was 18 but I never finished the pack. They have No idea why I have contracted this .. They have told me that I am very young ..one of if not the youngest in my area. They do not believe it to be HPV related. I had a partail Glossectomy and ND and have been cancer free at this point for excatly one year ago yesterday ... a Young 35 year old mom of 5 children ..Only 4 more years to go ...until the risk factor goes down !!
Sharlee
35 year old Female Non smoker, very occasional alcohol ..Scc T1N0M0,partial glossectomy and left neck disection ,2/9/07 No rad deemed ness. 4/16 tonsillectomy ..Trimengenial Neuralga due to surgery
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | This past week I was contacted by the producer from 20/20 and we had a nice, short discussion. Although I don't fit the profile of who he is looking for, I assured him that my experiences and activities of getting the word out about early detection, would be a positive for the show. He was very gracious and told me that he would get back to me if he decided to use me for the piece. I am looking forward to the possibility that that I may be included. However, I am sure that this widely watched show will be very helpful in getting Oral Cancer the national exposure that it so desperately needs, whether I am on it or not.
On a smaller scale, this coming Tuesday, the local CBS affiliate is sending a producer and camera man to my office to do a segment on the VELscope and early detection. I am hoping that this piece gets a better time slot and more local exposure than the one that ABC aired in December.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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