PERS PECTI VES 2019
CAN CER AWA RENESS
PROMOTING AWARENESS
OF ORAL CANCER
“The United Health Foundation is proud to partner with the University of Kentucky in addressing oral cancer,” said Tom Wiffler, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits. “By improving awareness about the signs and risks of oral cancer and increasing early screening for the disease, we can help more Kentuckians live healthier lives.” “With the support of United Health Foundation and our local partner, the Pike County Health Department, the
During national Oral Cancer Awareness Month, this
College of Dentistry
past April, the UK College of Dentistry launched
was able to provide a
its ‘Eradicate Oral Cancer in Eastern Kentucky’
tremendous community
"PATIENTS WILL THEN GO BACK WITH INFORMATION THEY NEED TO MAKE AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES."
service by offering free oral cancer screenings,” said Dr. Yeoh.
project, made possible by a $1 million grant from
“Oral cancer can have a high rate of mortality, often due to
the United Health Foundation (UHF).
late discovery. By encouraging residents to be screened, the college is hoping to catch potential issues earlier while also educating participants on risk factors for oral cancer.”
Dr. Melvyn Yeoh, principal investigator for the project and chief of UKCD’s Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, traveled to Pikeville,
Following the April event, four additional screening sessions
Kentucky, with three OMFS residents and one fellow to provide over
have been held throughout Pike county, allowing the team to
300 oral cancer screenings at the annual Hillbilly Days event.
complete another hundred additional screenings.
Kentucky has one of nation’s highest incidences of oral cancer,
“Completing an oral cancer screening examination is only
according to the National Institutes of Health. In Harlan, Letcher, and
half the battle. Educating the public on oral cancer awareness
Pike counties – the ones targeted by the project – the prevalence of
transcends the limited time we have to see them in the chair.
oral cancer is as much as 54 percent higher than the state average.
The goal is to spread knowledge of known risk factors and
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