H & N Cancer Heroes
DISCLAIMER: The following includes informative information which may be considered graphic by some readers. The following Wright Solutions 'H & N CANCER HEREOS' are not affiliated with Wright Solutions, however they are intimately affiliated with H & N Cancer.
Wright Solutions chose Dr. Eugene Myers as one of our H & N Cancer Heroes as he represented more than 10,000 otolaryngologists nation- wide and 10s of thousands world-wide and those who dedicate their lives to working with H & N Cancer patients.
Eugene N. Myers, FACS,
FRCS Edin (Hon)
Distinguished Professor and Emeritus Chair, Department of Otolaryngology, Professor of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine . Dr. Myers’ research interests center upon topics in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery. Major themes for research include: Significance of Extracapsular Spread in Cervical Lymph Nodes; Surgery for Parotid Tumors; and Cancer of the Oral Cavity. Publications include, Salivary Gland Disorders; Tracheostomy: Airway Management, Communication, and Swallowing; Operative Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; and Pearls and Pitfalls in Head and Neck Surgery, Practical Tips to Minimize Complications. Myers’ received BS in Economics, University of Pennsylvania in 1954, followed in 1960 with an MD at Temple University School of Medicine. 1960-1961 saw his Rotating Internship at Mt Sinai Hospital in NY. Myers’ General Surgical Internship at Veterans Administration Hospital in Boston 1961-1962 under the direction of J.J. Bryne, MD, Director. Residency in Boston at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Otolaryngology 1962-1965 after which Myers served as Teaching Fellow, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School and Special Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery with Dr. John Conley 1967-1968. Dr. Myers served in Germany with the US Army, 97th General Hospital, Dept. of Otolaryngology during 1965-1967. He was Principal Investigator of a grant entitled “Oral Cavity Cancer Center of Discovery.” Grant #: P60DE13059 from the NIDCR, $11,000,000 – (1999-2004).
Wright Solutions has chosen Michael Douglas as one of our H & N Cancer Heroes as he represents 70,000 American men and women diagnosed with H & N Cancer (2022) and the millions of H & N Cancer patients world-wide. We personally thank Mr. Douglas for publicly sharing his diagnosis with courage and candor.
Head & Neck Cancer (H&N; SCCH&N; Oral Cancer) has increased in the U.S. from approximately 30,000 diagnosis (2000) to 70,000 diagnosis (2022). Oral Cancer is predicted to become 'epidemic' in China, India, South & Central Americas in the coming decade. As the population in the United States ages, Oral Cancer diagnosis will continue to rise.
Head & Neck Cancer (H&N; SCCH&N; Oral Cancer) has increased in the U.S. from approximately 30,000 diagnosis (2000) to 70,000 diagnosis (2022). Oral Cancer is predicted to become 'epidemic' in China, India, South & Central Americas in the coming decade. As the population in the United States ages, Oral Cancer diagnosis will continue to rise.
Michael Kirk Douglas, B.A.,
D.Litt. (Honorary, University of St. Andrews, Scotland)
- August 16, 2010 it was announced Mr. Douglas was suffering from throat cancer. Mr. Douglas confirmed August 31, 2010, that the cancer was stage IV. On September 1, 2010, Mr. Douglas attributed the cancer to a combination of stress, his previous alcohol abuse, and years of heavy smoking. January 11, 2011, he said in an interview with BBC News, the tumor was gone and explained the illness and aggressive treatment had caused him to lose 32 lbs. At that time, he had monthly screenings because there was a very high chance that the cancer could return within two to three years. In June 2013, Douglas told The Guardian his type of cancer is caused by HPV, transmitted by cunnilingus. (HPV - Human papillomavirus Recent evidence is accumulating pointing to a viral origin for some head and neck cancers. In particular HPV16, is a causal factor for some head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Approximately 15 to 25% of HNSCC contain genomic DNA from HPV, and the association varies based on the site of the tumor, especially HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, with highest distribution in the tonsils, where HPV DNA is found in (45 to 67%) of the cases, less often in the hypopharynx (13%–25%), and least often in the oral cavity (12%–18%) and larynx (3%–7%). Some experts estimate that while up to 50% of cancers of the tonsil may be infected with HPV, only 50% of these are likely to be caused by HPV (as opposed to the usual tobacco and alcohol causes). The role of HPV in the remaining 25-30% is not yet clear. Oral sex is not risk free and can result in HPV-related cancer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throat_cancer
Editorial by Wright Solutions President
I, like millions of others, was saddened to hear Mr. Douglas was battling cancer. When Mr. Douglas courageously shared he had Oral Cancer I imagine there was a collective OMG moment for the millions of Head & Neck cancer patients, their loved ones, caregivers and the millions of people in the ENT/Otolaryngology, Pulmonary/Respiratory and Oncology specialties.
Finally we had a strong recognizable face to a disease that so many have suffered through, are suffering with and those who, unfortunately will suffer from in the future. Michael Douglas is to SCCH&N (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head & Neck) what Michael J. Fox is to the Parkinsons' community.
It was nothing short of courageous for Mr. Douglas to stand before the world - to share, to educate & to warn of the three leading causes of Head & Neck Cancer.... HPV, smoking, alcohol. Unfortunately his candor discussing this personal issue quickly became fodder for late night television.
Head and Neck Cancer aka Oral Cancer is no laughing matter. This man has been to hell and for the rest of his life will live with the horrific and excruciating radiation injuries that are not visible in photos or through a camera's lens.
To those of us who have suffered with this disease it is a mute point whether his oral cancer was in his throat or on his tongue - it makes no difference if it was in his jaw or on his Uvala. If the tumor was located at the base of the tongue then logistically it's at the top of the throat. The point is, it doesn't change the diagnosis nor does it lessen the pain or type of treatment - radiation, chemo & if necessary bi-lateral surgery (removal of a portion of the tongue/face) or radical bilateral surgery (removal of half the face).
Regardless of what he does for a living, Michael Douglas has endured what every man and woman battling Head and Neck Cancer endures, along with their family and friends, who suffer with them - and it isn't pretty!
From the moment the doctor enters the patient evaluation room you're catapulted into a sensation of free-falling from 20,000' - as the word 'cancer' enters the ear canal, you hit the ground in a body and brain numbing fog. Exiting the doctor's office you struggle to sort out what was just said. 'Cancer, oral, radiation, head & neck, chemo, surgery, stage, advanced, tumor, PET scan, involved' echo in your ears while the smell of antiseptic and rubber gloves fill your nostrils.
We who are SCCH&N-battle experienced can only hope those who opine criticism of Mr. Douglas never find themselves the members of the oral cancer fraternity, never suffer the seemingly endless blood-draws, the numerous PET & CAT Scans, the tummy tube (aka PEG/feeding tube) & chemo-port insertions, a possible of Tracheotomy (depending on the cancer's local) life long side effects that become an elevated norm, like the radiation burn injuries that manifest as tightening scar tissue lining the inside of the mouth and throat, leaving you in a constant state of thirst, craving the once-taken-for-granted moisture of saliva, eating foods bathed in sauces, expelling thick mucus, vomiting, finding themselves so wracked with post-treatment pain and discomfort that fatigue, depression, frustration, headaches, dental infections, dental decay, sleep apnea, pneumonia, dry-mouth/dry sinuses/dry noses, loss of taste and smell - all become the price you pay for staying alive.
Those diagnosed with oral cancer and undergo treatment, need to be forewarned that the chemo drugs will destroy your partner's chromosomes should bodily fluids be exchanged... something to think about while laying on a radiation table with a radiation mask placed over your face, and bolted to the table, ensuring you are unable to move your head. The radiation beam targets the cancer - the slightest movement could result in the radiation laser-beam burning your eyeballs, searing your grey matter or severing your spinal cord.
For the average person it's difficult enough to endure the sheer terror of what comes next. The toll this takes on your family, your children, your work all while secretly watching the calendar in the hope of making it to the 2 year, 3 year, 4 year marks without this relentless bully-disease coming back. Alone in front of the mirror you see what the bank teller sees, the grocery clerk, the postman, the neighbors & coworkers see... your sunken eyes and frail frame. In the recesses of your mind a little voice whispers reassurance that you will regain your former self.
Now imagine being Michael Douglas. From the moment he leaves his home the world sees him through the camera lens. The rumors are as rampant as the cancer and as toxic as the chemo. He has little choice but to tell the public he has cancer - unlike 'average' SCCH&N fraternity members who are fame-free and battle their cancer in private. He's powerless to protect his wife & children from the headline-hunting-vultures circling around him.
In a society where vulgarity has become an accepted norm, it's surprising those with the influence to educate the public about the potentially deadly HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) failed to encourage candid and open discussions with Mr. Douglas and/or medical professionals specializing in H & N Cancers. Instead he is dogged about his most painfully private family issues..... Michael Douglas continues on.... with class and dignity.
We shouldn't dismiss the important content of what Mr. Douglas so courageously warned against. It's so easy to delude oneself that one will not develop Head & Neck cancer because one doesn't smoke or drink (alcohol) -- but it's truly terrifying to accept that engaging in oral sex with an HPV infected partner could kill you, 20 years after the act.
If not openly and candidly discussed, if not vaccinated against, if not taken seriously, the potential of HPV growing to epidemic proportions is likely. If HPV becomes epidemic so too will Head and Neck cancer (aka SCCH&N; aka Oral Cancer).
It takes 2 to 5 years post treatment before many oral cancer patients regain most of their strength - the internal strength Mr. Douglas demonstrated by going public with this once unknown form of cancer, is in our opinion, Heroic.
Thank you Mr. Douglas.
Vivian Wright
Finally we had a strong recognizable face to a disease that so many have suffered through, are suffering with and those who, unfortunately will suffer from in the future. Michael Douglas is to SCCH&N (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Head & Neck) what Michael J. Fox is to the Parkinsons' community.
It was nothing short of courageous for Mr. Douglas to stand before the world - to share, to educate & to warn of the three leading causes of Head & Neck Cancer.... HPV, smoking, alcohol. Unfortunately his candor discussing this personal issue quickly became fodder for late night television.
Head and Neck Cancer aka Oral Cancer is no laughing matter. This man has been to hell and for the rest of his life will live with the horrific and excruciating radiation injuries that are not visible in photos or through a camera's lens.
To those of us who have suffered with this disease it is a mute point whether his oral cancer was in his throat or on his tongue - it makes no difference if it was in his jaw or on his Uvala. If the tumor was located at the base of the tongue then logistically it's at the top of the throat. The point is, it doesn't change the diagnosis nor does it lessen the pain or type of treatment - radiation, chemo & if necessary bi-lateral surgery (removal of a portion of the tongue/face) or radical bilateral surgery (removal of half the face).
Regardless of what he does for a living, Michael Douglas has endured what every man and woman battling Head and Neck Cancer endures, along with their family and friends, who suffer with them - and it isn't pretty!
From the moment the doctor enters the patient evaluation room you're catapulted into a sensation of free-falling from 20,000' - as the word 'cancer' enters the ear canal, you hit the ground in a body and brain numbing fog. Exiting the doctor's office you struggle to sort out what was just said. 'Cancer, oral, radiation, head & neck, chemo, surgery, stage, advanced, tumor, PET scan, involved' echo in your ears while the smell of antiseptic and rubber gloves fill your nostrils.
We who are SCCH&N-battle experienced can only hope those who opine criticism of Mr. Douglas never find themselves the members of the oral cancer fraternity, never suffer the seemingly endless blood-draws, the numerous PET & CAT Scans, the tummy tube (aka PEG/feeding tube) & chemo-port insertions, a possible of Tracheotomy (depending on the cancer's local) life long side effects that become an elevated norm, like the radiation burn injuries that manifest as tightening scar tissue lining the inside of the mouth and throat, leaving you in a constant state of thirst, craving the once-taken-for-granted moisture of saliva, eating foods bathed in sauces, expelling thick mucus, vomiting, finding themselves so wracked with post-treatment pain and discomfort that fatigue, depression, frustration, headaches, dental infections, dental decay, sleep apnea, pneumonia, dry-mouth/dry sinuses/dry noses, loss of taste and smell - all become the price you pay for staying alive.
Those diagnosed with oral cancer and undergo treatment, need to be forewarned that the chemo drugs will destroy your partner's chromosomes should bodily fluids be exchanged... something to think about while laying on a radiation table with a radiation mask placed over your face, and bolted to the table, ensuring you are unable to move your head. The radiation beam targets the cancer - the slightest movement could result in the radiation laser-beam burning your eyeballs, searing your grey matter or severing your spinal cord.
For the average person it's difficult enough to endure the sheer terror of what comes next. The toll this takes on your family, your children, your work all while secretly watching the calendar in the hope of making it to the 2 year, 3 year, 4 year marks without this relentless bully-disease coming back. Alone in front of the mirror you see what the bank teller sees, the grocery clerk, the postman, the neighbors & coworkers see... your sunken eyes and frail frame. In the recesses of your mind a little voice whispers reassurance that you will regain your former self.
Now imagine being Michael Douglas. From the moment he leaves his home the world sees him through the camera lens. The rumors are as rampant as the cancer and as toxic as the chemo. He has little choice but to tell the public he has cancer - unlike 'average' SCCH&N fraternity members who are fame-free and battle their cancer in private. He's powerless to protect his wife & children from the headline-hunting-vultures circling around him.
In a society where vulgarity has become an accepted norm, it's surprising those with the influence to educate the public about the potentially deadly HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) failed to encourage candid and open discussions with Mr. Douglas and/or medical professionals specializing in H & N Cancers. Instead he is dogged about his most painfully private family issues..... Michael Douglas continues on.... with class and dignity.
We shouldn't dismiss the important content of what Mr. Douglas so courageously warned against. It's so easy to delude oneself that one will not develop Head & Neck cancer because one doesn't smoke or drink (alcohol) -- but it's truly terrifying to accept that engaging in oral sex with an HPV infected partner could kill you, 20 years after the act.
If not openly and candidly discussed, if not vaccinated against, if not taken seriously, the potential of HPV growing to epidemic proportions is likely. If HPV becomes epidemic so too will Head and Neck cancer (aka SCCH&N; aka Oral Cancer).
It takes 2 to 5 years post treatment before many oral cancer patients regain most of their strength - the internal strength Mr. Douglas demonstrated by going public with this once unknown form of cancer, is in our opinion, Heroic.
Thank you Mr. Douglas.
Vivian Wright
An interesting link: 'Quit Snickering about Michael Douglas, HPV is Serious Business' by Heather Monroe Prescott; Nursing Clio http://nursingclio.org/2013/06/06/quit-snickering-about-michael-douglas-hpv-is-serious-business/