A local newspaper has read my blog and wants to interview me tommorow afternoon. I KNOW, Hard to belive! I was needless to say, very excited. A great opportunity to spread the work about Oral Cancer. What I am wanting to know, is if you had this opportunity, what would be the most important thing you would want everyone to know. My message is simple, get a screening as a precationary measure. Better way early than way late.

I was wondering what your reponse would be. I am sure that OCF will be brought up since it has been one of my biggest source of help. Thanks to all for that BTW.

John

John:

Its an honor that you were chosen for an interview. My idea would have to be the same as yours. Mentioning OCF is very important as there is so much info and help on here. Screening to catch it early and making the public aware of how deadly this type of cancer are what I would talk about too. Good luck tomorrow

Congratulations John. I have done 2 TV interviews and one for a local newspaper. Unfortunately, you don't always get everything in that you want. However, it's great that you have this opportunity.

In addition to mentioning OCF, I guess the most important point that you might want to make is the "early detection, saves lives". You can get all the statistics about survival rates and the comparison between stage I diagnosis, stage IV and those in between from this site.

You want the people reading the story to ask their dentist or hygienist why they are not getting a thorough oral cancer screening, if they're not.

You might want to mention the VELscopoe as a fairly new adjunct to oral cancer screening. You can check this out at www.velscope.com Stress that this is an adjunct and not a substitute for an exam. Also you can mention that a thorough oral cancer screening is more than having your tongue pulled out and moved from side to side. You can get some ideas about how an exam should be done at www.sextetscreening.org

If you want to speak to me about anything before your interview, send me an email [email protected] with your phone number and what time I should call you. I'll be happy to talk to you about it.

Good luck and thanks for being an advocate.

Jerry

I have also had many contacts with radio, Tv, newspapers, teaching at Moffitt and testifying before the Florida House. Tell your story from your perspective and from your heart. Leave the medical facts to the doctors. Tell the human patient side. If you were a tobacco user then warn about that; if yours was HPV + then try to educate your readers about HPV and the male and Oral Cancer connection. Make what you say believable and above all interesting. The more interesting, the more the writer will write.

Thank You all for the imput. I plan on tellling my story but I think I just want my main focus after all of that to be that early prevention is the best remedy and to get a proper oral screening. We all know what trama can be caused by this. Bottom line....Education is the key here.

Wish me luck today.

John

John - can't wait to hear how it went. I was thinking about you today and send prayers your way.

Well, I will tell you. It was not like I thought it was going to be. I found myself tring to help this poor kid who was way more nervous than I ever thought of being. I have a lot of opinions on the matter, but I am holding them in reserve until the article comes out. Will let you all know when It does.

John