Our Causes and Charities

Smokeless does not mean Harmless

The science of the determination of oral cancer for dentists has gotten a lot more sophisticated than this page, when it was originally written. We now use Velscope and Visilite for early detection. (links to those devices' home pages would be appreciated).

Oral cancer is part of everyone's annual or semi-annual check up. It is no longer a disease limited to smokers and alcoholics. Everyone is familiar with the vaccination for HPV (human papilloma virus) having now been extended to males (who don't develop cervical cancer).

Transmission, through oral-genital contact has made oral cancer far more prevalent.

"While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day." That's a 24% Kill Rate for one of the easiest cancers there is to diagnose. If your dentist or hygienist is not checking you for oral cancer, it's time to either demand that they do so, or change dentists.

To learn more, click here. (link to www.oralcancer.org).

In November 2000, Dr. Markus, the Philadelphia Chairman of the Crown Council Smiles for Life fund raising efforts, met with three of his colleagues to discuss mechanisms by which money raised in the Delaware Valley could remain in the area.  Their idea to perform oral cancer examinations for charity, was met with enthusiastic response from Gregory Anderon, the executive director of Crown Council.  At Markus' suggestion, Joe Garogiola was contacted.  Garogiola has been a one man (tireless) campaigner to get the word out about the carcinogenic effects of dip (smokeless, chew) tobacco.

"Smiles for Life needed to encompass more people than just those who were concerned about their appearance.  Everyone is concerned about their health.  People get pap smears, PSA's, and mammograms on an annual basis, but oral cancer is easily diagnosed, and very disfiguring if not caught early.  The survival rates of melanoma and cervical cancer are far better than oral cancer.  Anyone who smokes, or breathes second hand smoke should be checked by a dentist annually, but few of us are," said Markus.

In return for a $36 donation to local charities, Markus and the 800 other Crown Council dentists will be performing oral cancer screening examinations between March 1, and July 1, 2001.  To find the nearest Crown Council dentist, call toll free 877 4 Smiles.

Here is the press release on this story:  click here