| | Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 Platinum Member (300+ posts) |  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 357 | In the past month, I've heard newscasts & opinion pieces on mainstream stations & NPR about fast-tracking insurance coverage of Gardasil for boys because of the connection between HPV & oral cancer in men. It's like a lightbulb went off in the collective head of the medical community, and they're playing catch-up. But I guess step A had to be in place before they could discuss Step B. Marlene
Marginal mandibulectomy 6/17/08 resulted in DX of Stage I SCC - gingiva (3 mm) right mandible, buccal side. Clear margins. Occasional social drinker. Smoked last cigarette in 1979. Clear pet: 12/08; 7/20/09. Yay!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | Merck and GSK still can't even whisper an opinion about their vaccines in boys as it relates to H&N cancers, the FDA will come down on them like a load of bricks. This is exactly why for almost a decade OCF has tried to get this dialog to take place in the public media. When the conversation gets loud enough questions get asked of doctors, doctors have to offer opinions. In this instance the science was clearly on our side and the dialog is gaining momentum. But this is different than the FDA granting authority for the manufactures to talk about oral cancer and their vaccine.
We still have to have researchers and doctors and of course advocates like all of us make the argument that the manufacturers cannot. There has to be enough knowledge out there of the opportunity, for parents to want to spend the money to use the vaccine for what is essentially, as far as the FDA is concerned, an "off label" use.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | MaineWill. If there is a kinder gentler method, be sure to let us know by posting. I sure never heard of any.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | There isn't a kind or gentler method today of dealing with someone that actually has the disease. It's still the old school treatments. Perhaps in a decade those might be lessened in intensity some, if we get a clinical trial to use a few grays of radiation less, but cancer treatments aren't going to change much in our lifetimes I think. We're a generation or two away from any major breakthrough that really kills this stuff with some targeted therapy that spares us the collateral damage, at least in head and neck cancers. This whole argument is about preventing it (as far as HPV caused OC) in our kids and grandchildren from ever happening in the first place.
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.
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