College of Dental Medicine Conducts Cancer Screenings

The Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the College of Dental Medicine Back row (from left): Stuart A. Caplan, D.D.S.; Paul F. Bradley, D.D.S., M.D.; Gary L. Conover, D.D.S.; Michael A. Siegel, D.D.S.; Cesar A. Migliorati, D.D.S., Ph.D. Front row (from left):  Ines Velez, D.D.S.; Angela Alu; Mitzi J. Palazzolo, D.D.S.; Tiffany Donald; Ivelisse DeJesus

The Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the College of Dental Medicine, in conjunction with the Yul Brynner Foundation, conducted an oral head and neck cancer screening on Monday, April 21.  Approximately 20 dental student volunteers, under the supervision of the oral medicine and pathology faculty, screened patients in an effort to increase cancer awareness and diagnose this deadly disease at the earliest possible time. 

This was a very successful event as the turnout was more than expected and the students gained valuable clinical experience. A proclamation was received from Governor Charlie Christ declaring Monday, April 21, 2008, Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week in the State of Florida. 

There will be 31,000 newly diagnosed cases of oral head and neck cancer in the United States this year with an expected death toll of approximately 9,000.  The five-year prognosis of this disease is 95 percent if the cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. 

“When diagnosed very early, oral head and neck cancer is easy to treat and cure,” said Michael A. Siegel, D.D.S., M.S., professor and chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences. Unfortunately, when diagnosed in the late stages, many patients do not live longer than six months. 

“More than 85 percent of head and neck cancers are related to tobacco use, making this one of the most preventable diseases of our time,” said Ines Velez, D.D.S., M.S. “To see so many people suffering needlessly is heartbreaking. As healthcare professionals, we need to educate the public about head and neck cancer and encourage people to get regular checkups and to eliminate high-risk habits like smoking.”