YBF Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awarenessby Cindy AbolePublic Relations It was 1983 when actor Yul Brynner and George Sisson, M.D., established the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation to support education, treatment, research and survivor efforts for head and neck cancer patients. Nineteen years later, the foundation is larger and stronger than ever. What began as a handful of chapter groups has grown to more than 100 nationally. New in this year’s Yul Brynner Foundation (YBF) effort is a name change. Now known as the Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, the campaign reflects the rise in oral cancer diagnoses, especially in South Carolina. Currently, the Palmetto State ranks second nationally in mortality for oral/pharynx cancer. The change also emphasizes the collaborative role of dental colleagues and specialists in helping to recognize signs and symptoms in the early diagnosis of head and neck cancer patients. “Quite often an individual may mistake oral pain for a bad tooth or a mouth ulcer,” said M. Boyd Gillespie, M.D., assistant professor, department of Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and president of the South Carolina YBF Chapter. “When that pain persists for more than a week, it’s recommended for that person to see a ENT specialist or ask a dentist for an evaluation.” The S.C. YBF Chapter has consistently played an active role in education and outreach effort against a disease that affects more than 70,000 Americans each year and claims the lives of about 15,000 people. The program enlists an active cancer survivor network who visit middle schools as part of their education/community outreach. The most common cause of head and neck cancer is the use ob tobacco and alcohol products, however 10 percent of people who develop head and neck cancer never used these substances. Next week, laryngectomy survivors Ron Gillette, Fred Nelson and Elmo Burn will recount their long-term tobacco use and tell personal stories about how they are really the “lucky ones” as survivors. Next week’s campaign begins with a proclamation given by Gov. Jim Hodges and Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. initiating the 2002 Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. Other activity will include area classroom visits, a survivor’s banquet and silent auction, a survivors reach-out campaign and recognition of head and neck research. Just recently, the foundation recently approved support for the first YBF Head and Neck Summer Research Fellowship Award at MUSC. This year’s recipient is Christian Walters, a first-year medical student. Working with Gillespie and ENT specialist Bonnie Martin-Harris, Ph.D., Walters will conduct research on the swallowing ability of head and neck cancer survivors. The campaign’s climax will be next Friday’s (April 19) oral, head and neck cancer screening day. MUSC will join seven other Lowcountry medical practice participants that will conduct the free, 15-minute screenings. MUSC will offer exams at three sites: Hollings Cancer Center, Rutledge Tower’s second floor ENT clinic and the new ENT offices at the East Cooper Medical Arts Building. In addition, the Hollings Cancer Center mobile health unit will visit the International Longshoremen Association Local 1422 building on Morrison Drive to raise awareness and educate people about the disease among specific at-risk populations. Recent data shows that the disease is becoming an increasing burden in the African-American community. Although the incidence of head and neck cancer may be only slightly higher in black men than white men in South Carolina, black men are twice as likely to die from the disease. “The best thing that we as health professionals can do is get the word out through community screenings and educate individuals to recognize the early warning signs,” said Michelle Peterson, R.N., cancer prevention and control coordinator at Hollings Cancer Center. “Hopefully they'll have enough time to understand their options and learn how to deal with it.” Last September, the foundation won national recognition when former president and S.C. chapter founder Terry A. Day, M.D., received the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s Jerome C. Goldstein Award for Public Service. Day was recognized for his efforts in promoting national head and neck cancer screenings. To learn more about the Yul Brynner Foundation’s Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness program, visit their Web site at http://www. ybfsc.org. Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening
University ENT Associates
Trident Health System
Roper CareAlliance
What happens during a head and neck cancer
screening?
To schedule an appointment for the April 19 head and neck cancer screening, call MUSC Health Connections, 792-1414. Be aware of Oral Cavity and Laryngeal Cancer signs/symptoms:
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