#76319 06-30-2008 07:19 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Once again my office staff and I set up a booth to do free oral cancer screenings at our local Relay For Life event. With much better weather than the last time, we more than doubled the number of exams performed, for a total of 52.
Once again, other than our being there, displaying my two large Oral Cancer Foundation banners and handing out our brochures, there was nothing to be found about oral cancer. I stopped the representative from the American Cancer Society (a very nice youing lady, I might add) and asked her why oral cancer is a stepchild. All around the track were signs about the different types of cancer (as there is every year) but did I see one with Oral Cancer on it? You all know the answer.
The answer is simple, "...the ACS seems to concentrate on the big 4 cancers", she said. How sad is that?
No matter how ticked off I am at the ACS, I'll continue to do these booths, because it provides a public service that no one else in my area is providing. The really sad thing is that of all the people that I spoke to at the event, I could count on one hand those that said they had ever had an oral cancer screening at their dental office.
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"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Jerry:
You are a great advocate for oral cancer. You are very good at spreading the word, keep up the good work.
I wondered why info on oral cancer was hard to find (luckily I found OCF right away). Now I understand how the ACS operates, thats really awful that their main focus is the big 4.
Christine
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | That's great Jerry. I wish I was up there to help you.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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