This year, 30,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer.� In five years, only half will be alive.� Survival rates have remained virtually unchanged for decades.� Oral cancer is more deadly than cervical cancer, skin cancer and many other higher-profile cancer types.
The Oral Cancer Foundation, a California-based non-profit entity, designed for� education, support and advocacy, was established in July 2001, to reduce incidence, suffering and death due to oral cancer, and to assist patients and care givers who cope with it.� The Foundation, established by Brian R. Hill, a successful 53-year-old businessman and oral cancer survivor, is committed to increasing public and professional awareness, prevention (keyed to� lifestyle changes), early detection, improved treatment, and research
"A principal goal of the Foundation," Hill says, "is to provide patient support.� At our web site, www.OralCancerFoundation.org, a Survivor/Patient Forum promotes interaction among individuals with oral cancer, friends and family members, care givers, survivors and others.� This message board and chat room encourage sharing of experiences and information, and provide inspiration from those who have traveled this path before.� As an oral cancer survivor, I know� you don't get through this disease alone."
The Foundation's web site also provides information about oral cancer, risk factors, treatment modalities, and other resources.� Membership is available to all who are concerned about this dangerous, but treatable disease.
The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board includes many of the nation's leading cancer authorities:
Michael C. Alfano DMD., PhD
Dean, College of Dentistry, New York University
Kian Ang MD, PhD, Professor, Radiation Oncology
Gilbert H. Fletcher Chair, MD Anderson Cancer Center
David Callender MD, Senior VP, Chief of Medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Alice M. Horowitz PhD, Senior Scientist
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institutes of Health
Rhonda Jacob DDS, MS, Professor, Dental Oncology,
Maxillofacial Prosthetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ole Jensen DDS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Denver CO
Dennis H. Kraus MD, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Director, Speech and Hearing Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Robert A. Ord MD, DDS, Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Medical School
James J. Sciubba DMD, PhD, Professor of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Director, Oral and Dental Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Sol Silverman Jr. DDS, Professor of Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco
Healthcare professionals, particularly dentists and hygienists, are especially encouraged to join the Foundation.� Professional Membership includes a wall� certificate, "Oral cancer, what you need to know" waiting room brochures, dialogue buttons and access to professionals-only sections of the www.OralCancerFoundation.org web site.� Enrolled dentists will also be listed on the site's professional reference page.� Dentists are urged to provide a link from their web sites to the Oral Cancer Foundation's site, for the benefit of patients concerned about the disease.
The Oral Cancer Foundation is a non-profit, public service entity which is supported by private donations, professional memberships, corporate sponsorship, and governmental grants.� For details, visit www.OralCancerFoundation.org or call 949-646-8000.
