Maybe I am running in open doors but check this out!

See also reference to OCF, HPV link and screening.....

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/30/oral.cancer.women/index.html


M

I am a little surprised that they found the HPV in her cheek cancer. I am also a tad surprised that she has the bad side effects she still has. I am also surprised that her doctor was quoted as saying "It's something we are very much aware of and look for, ESPECIALLY IN WOMEN (emphasis added)," he said.

On the positive side OFC got some good mention.

Well, the main thing we can hope for that awareness for oral cancer is raised. I also think that it is important to make it clear, that you do not have to be a 60 year old male chain smoking alcoholic to get this. Also the benefit of checkups and early detection was made.
RE HPV: Just last week I talked to the Director of the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (UK) re oral cancer and HPV and HE though HPV was only involved in a minor portion of oral cancer occurrences... David I was thinking of you then, if your ears were ringing.
(for what is is worth I emailed him some info)

M

David

Perhaps the fact that this prothodontist practices in Bethsada MD, home of NIH may account for his familiarity with HPV and his vigilance in examining women patients. I also noted that CNN and other MSM really like quotes about HPV links to Oral SEX. Consider spicing up your gardasil presentation to legislators with a warning that if they don't vaccinate boys & girls, they may put at risk losing what appears to a favorite legislative (even documented presidential) pastime

My cousin just emailed me this link today. David, you posted on the thread about CNN wanting woman in the PA, DE and VA area. You had offered to wear stilettos..lol I never heard anything about that and I asked again. Have you heard anything? This is interesting. It doesn't seem to me that they activly look for HPV in the medical community. I've begged borrowed and stole to get tested for it and I still don't really know anything. I did join and study they are doing and Fox Chase Cancer Center which is where I go but I have not heard anything yet.

Well I tried to post to the story making the same points that David did, while also applauding CNN's decision to run an important story that raises awareness. But the moderator has chosen not to let it be posted. Perhaps this is because I was critical of the doc, who clearly doesn't know how to screen properly given his description of it all. Bottom line, awareness was raised by a well watched and read organization for our disease, the HPV connection was hit, and OCF got a link in their story. It was a good day all the way around. We can't expect them all to be home runs, but this was a base hit for sure.

This is the article that I was contacted about. The reporter has kept everyone who offered their contact information on file. He said he wants to pass it on when he is contacted for follow ups. He went with the woman in the article because she was located right there in DC near his office. He said he is anticipating a few follow up articles, hopefully someone from the OCF forum will get to be heard!

David,

You raise an interesting point and I'm curious if you or Brian have any further comment on this. I have never heard of any HPV+ lesion any place other than BOT, tonsils or oropharynx.

There are no absolutes in cancer. 1 in 1000?

Markus,

My ears were ringing but that was probably due to the Cisplatin. lol

Jerry,

One of the problems with HPV has always been and unfortunately still is, is that HPV's PROVEN connection to H & N cancers still remains unknown to many physicians and on top of that many are reluctant to test for it EVEN where the primary is in the Oropharynx region where it has been documented that more than 70% of the time it's HPV+. Certainly if all H & N cancers (at least those without a recent tobacco use history) had been tested for HPV since say 5 years ago, I bet we would know a lot more about HPV than we do today.