I am sure OCF's great collection of news articles will have this eventually, but I thought I would post a link to this article in today's NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/22/health/22canc.html?em&ex=1179979200&en=07ce650f36dc1389&ei=5087%0A

It is about a budding specialization in caring for cancer survivors in terms of their ongoing medical issues and needs as a result of cancer treatment. If you read the whole thing, it appears that one clinic at Sloan-Kettering was founded by an oral cancer survivor. That certainly makes sense since we are one kind of survivor with tons of serious post-treatment issues: saliva, tooth care, physical therapy needs if there has been surgery, swallowing problems. I am almost two years post treatment but I feel like the ongoing issues I have faced, with swallowing, saliva, neck pain, jaw cramps speech (I get hoarse easily and I am a teacher) and dental care, are ones that have never been fully appreciated by my doctors here. And I *have* been told "just be glad you're alive" which, you know, I AM, but I also want more help and better outcomes for these issues.

Anyway, I'm wondering if OCF has any input to any of these programs where this is becoming a medical specialty. maybe the students should read in this topic--it might be an eye opener!

Nelie

Nielie,

Thanks for the post. The article is worth reading and there is even a oral cancer survivor written about although they refer to it as tongue cancer.