EPIC-MRA Study Reveals Extremely Low Awareness Of Oral Cancer Among Michigan Residents.

Delta Dental Advocates for Early Detection During National Oral Cancer Awareness Week (April 16-22)

OKEMOS, Mich. -- Despite the fact that one American life is lost every hour and approximately 30,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year, a recent EPIC-MRA Omnibus survey of 600 Michigan adults revealed little-to-no awareness of oral cancer or its signs and symptoms.

Commissioned by Delta Dental of Michigan (Delta Dental), www.deltadentalmi.com, the study showed that when respondents were asked to list three forms that cancer can take, not one person named oral cancer.

Additionally, 16 percent of the study's respondents believe oral cancer is a less serious form of the disease than other cancers. In reality, the death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or skin cancer.

The low awareness levels of oral cancer are compounded with an ironic and grim statistic pertinent to Michigan - African American men in Wayne County have one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the country.

In recognition of National Oral Cancer Awareness Week (April 16-22), Delta Dental is asking Michigan residents to request an oral cancer exam during their next dental visit.

Oral cancer exams are quick, painless and involve an evaluation of the mouth, gums, throat and tongue by a licensed dentist using a piece of gauze to move the tongue from side-to-side. With this exam, the dentist is able to detect suspicious mouth lesions (unexplained red or white spots), an indicator of cancerous tissues.

Oral cancer falls into the head and neck cancer category. Common names for it include mouth, tongue and throat cancer. It is most common in men, African Americans, adults over age 40, smokers and heavy alcohol drinkers.

However, one out of four cases occur in individuals who do not have a recognized risk behavior such as tobacco or alcohol abuse. Other causes include too much sun exposure to the lips and poor diet.

Over the past several years, there has been an increase in the number of young people and women developing oral cancer who do not have a recognized risk factor such as tobacco or alcohol use.

Like many cancers, the key to survival is early detection. Dental professionals play a crucial role in early detection and are adopting a diagnostic tool called the brush biopsy to catch oral cancer at its earliest stages or even as a precancerous lesion. Delta Dental is one of the first dental benefits providers in the U.S. to add coverage of the brush biopsy to its core group of covered services.

OralCDx Laboratories Inc. of New York, www.oralcdx.com, holds a patent on the brush biopsy, which the Federal Drug Administration approved in 2000. The brush biopsy is based on the technology used in the Star Wars anti-missile system. It detects precancerous or cancerous cells in healthy tissue the same way the defense satellites were designed to detect real missiles from decoys.

Another finding of the study was that only about a quarter of the respondents realized that oral cancer can be detected during a visit with the dentist.

"This study confirms that we have a long way to go to educate the public about this deadly, yet preventable disease," said Dr. Jed Jacobson, senior vice president of professional services and chief science offer at Delta Dental. "It's crucial for people to ask their dentist for an oral cancer exam each time they visit the office. During the exam, if the dentist detects a suspicious lesion, he or she can use the brush biopsy to painlessly collect cells to send to a high-tech laboratory for immediate analysis. With the use of this relatively new diagnostic tool, many more lives will be saved."

Early detection can dramatically increase the five-year survival rate for oral cancer from 57 percent to 81 percent. It can even be prevented if detected at the precancerous stages. Additionally, with early detection, the cost of treating a case of oral cancer drops significantly. An advanced case of oral cancer can cost upward of $200,000 to treat.

The study also revealed low awareness of signs and symptoms of oral cancer. A full one-third of the study's respondents were "undecided" when asked to name a sign or symptom of oral cancer.

"Again, when we heard that so many of the respondents were unable to name a single sign or symptom of oral cancer, we reinforced our efforts to get the word out about the warning signs of oral cancer," said Jacobson.

Signs and symptoms of oral cancer include:

* Red or white spots that appear on the gums, cheeks or under the tongue

* Swelling of the tongue or throat

* A lump in the mouth or neck

* Painful or difficulty swallowing or chewing

* Numbness in the mouth region

* Vocal hoarseness that lasts for an extended time

* Tiny marks that resemble canker sores 

* Sores that bleed and don't heal (in later stages)

Jacobson advises people not to ignore symptoms and to seek an oral exam immediately if any of the above symptoms are evident.

Key prevention tips include stopping the use of any tobacco products, reducing alcohol consumption, eating more fruits and vegetables and getting regular oral cancer exams.

The survey revealed that 86 percent of respondents reported having a dental exam within the past year, and two-thirds reported having a dental exam within the past six months.

"We were heartened to hear that most of the survey respondents had recently seen a dentist," said Jacobson. "This is a golden opportunity for dentists to be vigilant in their efforts to diagnose oral cancer. Our goal is to get Michigan residents to expect an oral cancer exam when they visit their dentist."

For more information on Delta Dental, visit www.deltadentalmi.com.

For more information on OralCDx Laboratories, visit www.oralcdx.com.

For a copy of the EPIC-MRA survey on oral cancer awareness among Michigan residents, please contact Geoff Schwartz at [e-mail], or Nikki Stephan at [e-mail].

Delta Dental of Michigan, with its affiliates in Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee, is a member of Renaissance Health Service Corporation, a family of companies that combined is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2006, the enterprise paid more than $1.7 billion for dental care for more than 6.2 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos, Farmington Hills, and Grand Rapids, Michigan; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tennessee.

(Editor's note: Dr. Jacobson is available for interviews. Please contact Geoff Schwartz at [phone], or Nikki Stephan at [phone].)

Sources: EPIC-MRA 600-sample statewide survey of Michigan residents conducted in October 2006, Oral Cancer Foundation (http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/), American Cancer Society. (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp)