CCA aims to bring oral cancer cases in CNMI to zero
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signs House Bill 19-65 or an act that would prevent the sale, offer or giving of areca nut (betel nut) to minors last Friday at the Governor’s Office’s conference room. HB 19-65 is now Public Law 19-66. (Jon Perez)
The Commonwealth Cancer Association is confident that they could bring the number of oral cancer cases in the CNMI down to zero with the help of the community and armed with the recently signed Public Law 19-66, or the act to prohibit sale of betel or areca nut to minors.
Recent studies made by University of Guam-Cancer Research Center, in partnership with the Hawaii Cancer Research Center, show that betel nut chewing causes risk of getting oral cancer. UOG health sciences assistant professor Dr. Yvette C. Paulino is the research project coordinator.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed PL 19-66, House Bill 19-65, last Friday with principal author Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) along with CCA officials and their partners like the Community Guidance Center and several dental clinics in attendance.
CCA president Roman “Bo” T. Palacios said they are thankful for the assistance given by CGC and the dental clinics that helped them get the figures of oral cancer cases in the CNMI. “They helped us in getting the numbers from the people that were used in the study.
There have been 57 oral cancer cases that were linked to betel nut chewing since 2007 in the CNMI with 39 have already died. Oral cancer is the third-ranked cancer type in the Commonwealth next to breast and cervical.
“CCA is working closely with Dr. Paulino to basically help us, help you to quit chewing since several dozens have been afflicted by oral cancer here in the CNMI. Mr. [Juan L.] Babauta has also been diligent in educating the people, that’s why we’re confident that we’re going to make strides in getting that number back to zero.”
Babauta, CCA’s program director, said there are also two pending bills in the Legislature that is also connected to betel nut one of which is House Bill 19-72 introduced by Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao (Ind-Saipan) that would impose a $5 per lb tax on betel nut imported into the CNMI either by a person or a business.
“We continue with our educational awareness campaign with the likes of Mami Ikeda going to schools and reaching out to other families. We will work closely with our partners and parents, and now that we also have a legislation in hand,” said Babauta.
Ikeda has been an oral cancer advocate after the death of her brother Kazu two years ago. Two of her brother’s friends also died due to oral cancer.
Seventh-day Adventist Dental Clinic’s Dr. Ken Pierson is also encouraging people in the community, especially those who regularly chew betel nut, to schedule a checkup at a dental clinic. “If you noticed something in your mouth, like sores, then get yourself checked. This is a free cancer screening and early detection is a key in the treatment.”
While I respect what any one of these Cancer Organization are attempting to do to eliminate this dreaded horrible disease, by such a statement that they can bring these cases down to ZERO is misleading and only amounts to wishful thinking. (it would be so good if this was to be true)
Since ‘Betel nut’ is not the only cause of oral Cancer, this statement diverts some credibility away from this Organization and the person who made this statement.
Was this a direct quote by this individual or an inserted misquote and a take off on his own words by this reporter?
The only person concerned with credibility being taken away from the CCA because of an ambiguously made statement is yourself.
Obviously, the goal of the CCA is to bring cases of any form of cancer to be as close to zero as possible. The fact that you took the following statement:
“The Commonwealth Cancer Association is confident that they could bring the number of oral cancer cases in the CNMI down to zero with the help of the community and armed with the recently signed Public Law 19-66, or the act to prohibit sale of betel or areca nut to minors.”
and translated that inside your head as the CCA or reporter making a disingenuous statement is laughable.
I do agree however in that the above quoted statement was worded ambiguously, and that it does imply that solving the betel nut problem would completely solve oral cancer in the CNMI.
Where we disagree is your sudden leap in logic to accuse any party’s credibility right from the get go. It seems as if you are trying to stir controversy for the sake of it.
I am a terminal Cancer survivor that was given only eight month to live, (maybe)
No Doctor wanted to treat me after it was finally diagnosed abroad..
.
It took many screwed up MISTAKEN DIAGNOSIS that actually caused my condition to progress to the point it actually did.
My Cancer was ORAL, besides that due to I not having the correct last name, I was repeatedly denied Medical referral off island and had to eventually travel and take care on my own to the Phil. to get a correct diagnosi and treatment.
.
Even there they did not want to treat me,even after they had to do an emergency tracheotomy on me as I was considered not treatable ‘terminal’
It has been now 5 years since I finished treatment without Chemo, due to that cost.
So don’t tell me anything about Cancer until you have walked in the many survivors shoes, and also to have listened to many that talk about what will happen soon such as this to be able to completely eliminate or cure this..
I do not smoke, chew or drink also.
You best look at my post, I was not “dissin” this group, BUT for anyone to state that by eliminating Pugua (by such a unenforceable law) that they can eliminate oral Cancer within a certain time is ludicrous.
I have listened to many with similar statements over the years.
Do not give out false hope to unfortunate vulnerable patients. .
So now I await for your response.
I was being nice on my comment, You best get on point and settle down. Have a nice day.
It seems as if what I said flew right over your head. If you think I was “dissin” you then a misunderstanding was conveyed from my earlier statements.
Congratulations on beating cancer. Just kidding, I actually don’t care and none of that was relevant to the topic at hand. Somewhat relevant, sure I’ll give you that. Actually relevant? No, not at all.
FYI to make it clear for you, since you need everything spelled out apparently, in the second paragraph I am in fact dissing you.