cancer

Dental Professionals can help increase HPV vaccinations

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An interesting article titled “Could oral health care professionals help increase human papillomavirus vaccination rates by engaging patients in discussions?” appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association on December 8, 2022, written by Sharon Casey an et. al. The article discusses how oral healthcare such as dentists may be able to help prevent human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal and other HPV-related cancers by increasing HPV vaccination rates. The researchers searched four databases (MEDLINE [PubMed], EMBASE, APA PsycInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance system 2018 data. They looke for the prevalence of HPV vaccination and dental visits for patients between 18 and 49 years old. The researchers were left with 24 studies that they included in the review. From these studies the authors found that knowledge regarding HPV prevalence, transmission, disease processes, … Read more

Womans toothache that led to Wisdom Teeth Removal Turns out to be Cancer

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A 29 year old woman in Scotland began to experience pain in her mouth in September 2020 and also felt a pea-sized lump on her jawline. She thought the pain and problems were due to not having wisdom teeth extracted and that an infection had developed. She later had four wisdom teeth extracted Glasgow Dental Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, and then spent 12 months on antibiotics. After the wisdom teeth were removed she continued to have a swollen gland or lymph node and she continued to feel something was not quite right. In January 2021, he went in for a biopsy and CT scan. Four days after these tests were done she was told she had a cancerous lump and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma cancer. She started chemotherpay in early March 2021. She later had to have bone reconstruction, skin grafts … Read more

What You Eat Can Play A Role in Preventing Cancer

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New research has shown that several natural compounds found in food, including turmeric, apple peels, and red grapes, could prevent the growth of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in U.S. men. The research uses a novel analytical approach to screen numerous plant-based chemicals instead of testing a single agent as many studies do, discovering specific combinations that shrink prostate cancer tumors. After screening a natural compound library, the researchers developed an unbiased look at combinations of nutrients that have a better effect on prostate cancer than existing drugs. The researchers were able to inhibit tumor growth in mice without any toxicity. During the past decade, other cancer research has shown that the chemicals found in foods such as turmeric, apple peels and green tea could be beneficial against cancer. These compounds reduce inflammation within the body and this reduction … Read more

More Cancer Survivors in the Future

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A national health care crisis is looming in the U.S. as the country’s baby boomer population ages and a growing number of older adults find themselves diagnosed with and living longer with cancer. That is the position of a team of researchers from across the country who believe current prevention measures, screening, treatments, and supportive care for older patients at risk of or dealing with cancer are lacking in the US. In a special supplement issue of the international journal Cancer recently released, the researchers say there is an urgent need for clear, evidence-based practice guidelines to assist physicians, oncologists and others who provide short- and long-term care management to older adults with cancer. Only with more immediate research will proper prevention efforts, screening, treatment approaches, post-treatment survivorship and end of life care be put in place to serve this … Read more