Approximately 42,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2013. These head and neck cancers are in the mouth, tongue, throat, lips, and very back of the mouth (called the oropharynx).Two main causes of oral cancer are tobacco/smokeless tobacco and alcohol use. Another type of oral cancer is the HPV-16 virus (Human Papilloma Virus) which is a recently identified cause, and is the same HPV associated with the majority of cervical cancers in women.Mouth cancer will be diagnosed in approximately 100 new individuals daily in the United States and one person dies from oral cancer every hour of the day.
In 2005, Dr. Barry Kramer found a small radiographic lesion on a 26 year old patient, Glen Maxwell. This seemingly routine checkup appointment revealed an aggressive cancer called osteosarcoma. Glen had a 23 hour operation necessitating removal of half his maxilla (upper jaw) and the loss of 13 permanent teeth. Today Glen continues to lead a healthy cancer–free life. With the recent news of actor Michael Douglas having HPV cancer of the throat, and football star Jim Kelly having cancer of the lower jaw, it is our mission to create public awareness and fund oral cancer research at NYU College of Dentistry. Together we can have a powerful impact in fighting this disease.
What has the greatest impact on survival rates of oral cancer? Radiation, Chemo? Perhaps surgery? None of these. It is the point in time when it is discovered. Dr. Kramer is available for public oral cancer screenings at your organization, church, synagogue, school, or company. An informed public helps early discovery and increases survival!
