A story that was not silenced by oral cancer stage IV
«Nothing is more powerful than a personal story to motivate real change»
«When 'I' is replaced by 'We', illness becomes wellness»
«You have more strength than you think»
«You are a 'survivor' from the day you are diagnosed»
Eva Grayzel, Cancer survivor
«You can't spell overall health without oral health» Eva Grayzel noted, Honorary Invited Lecturer in the “Oral Cancer Awareness Day”, which was organized in Athens, Saturday June 9, 2018, by the Hellenic Society of Oral Oncology – HSOO, oraloncology.gr. The delay in diagnosis was one of the main issues which Eva highlighted. As it has been documented in the studies, up to 90% of patients with oral cancer survive when diagnosed in early stages. Eva described her story and struggle with cancer with power, self-confidence, feelings and humor, bringing her knowledge and hope to the audience.
During the Oral Cancer Awareness Day well recognized scientists presented the risk factors for the development of oral cancer, such as smoking and the role of HPV. The need for early diagnosis from the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer was highlighted, while the therapeutic modalities and the significant contribution of supportive care of the oral cavity were summarized. Eva Grayzel presented her work of instructions how to self-examine our mouth and she showed a useful leaflet with the six steps screening. [1]
Comments of health care professionals, patients volunteers and students gave the opportunity to a great discussion and exchange of knowledge and experience.
The big “why” was discussed for the inadequate awareness and the delayed, at times, diagnosis of oral cancer. The similarities of oral cancer with the common inflammatory lesions and growths in the oral cavity and the asymptomatic nature of cancer in the early stages up to 8 months are a big problem. Oral ulcers that do not heal, white and red plaques, elevations and growths, difficulties in swallowing, not explained tooth mobility may denote early oral cancer.
As it was mentioned, the organization of activities to educate the community and the increase and intensification of educational programs to the health care professionals, doctors, nurses, and others, aiming to improve the multidisciplinary collaboration, will contribute to the early diagnosis of oral cancer.
The communication and good collaboration between the oncologists and the dental oncologists during and after therapy, in the frame of the Oncology team, will contribute to the early diagnosis of recurrence, at times even before cancer is disclosed with the different laboratory methods and techniques. [2].
Oral Cancer Awareness day took place with the participation of Dentists, ENT doctors, Radiotherapy Oncologists, Maxillofacial Surgeons, Medical Oncologists, Radiation Diagnosis specialists, Nurses, Dietitian, Hematologists, Specialists in Physics Medicine, Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Endocrinologists and other health care professionals and undergraduate and postgraduate students. The reverant and physician, Bioethics in Oncology, Father Theodosios, from the Holy Mitropolis of Ilion, Acharnon and Peroupoleos attended the event , too.
Oral Cancer Awareness Day was supported by the Hellenic Society of Head and Neck Cancer, headneckcancer.gr.
Athens Dental and Medical Associations, the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology, the Hellenic Society of Radiation Oncology, the Hellenic and International Society of Molecular and Targeted Therapies, the Hellenic Dermatology Society, the Hellenic ENT Association, and the Laboratory of Development and Improvement of Nursing Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer-MASCC and the International Society of Oral Oncology-ISOO honored and endorsed the Day.
