Inos inks awareness proclamation on oral cancer
Oral cancer advocates led by the Commonwealth Cancer Association join Gov. Eloy S. Inos during last Friday’s proclamation signing providing awareness on oral cancer in the CNMI.
CNMI advocates fighting oral cancer trooped to the Governor’s Office in Capitol Hill last Friday to witness Gov. Eloy S. Inos sign a proclamation providing awareness on oral cancer in the CNMI.
The proclamation stated that chewing betelnut with tobacco and other additives is one of the leading causes of oral cancer in the CNMI.
“Each year in the U.S alone, approximately 42,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with oral cancer, the majority of which are diagnosed as late stage cancers, which accounts the very high death rate,” the proclamation states.
The Commonwealth Cancer Association in partnership with various dental clinics in the CNMI; Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.-Division of Public Health Service, CHCC Dental Clinic, Dental Care Clinic, New Wave Clinic, Smile Marianas Clinic, and Tooth Works Clinic are offering free oral cancer screening for all ages, that only takes about three minutes “that could save your life.”
“All of the dental clinics in the CNMI are working together to save lives by providing free oral cancer screening, we encourage everyone in the CNMI to take advantage of the free screenings and to educate yourself and your loved ones about oral cancer,” the proclamation states.
Individuals that feel a sensation that something is stuck in their throat, numbness in the oral region, difficulty in moving the jaw or tongue, difficulty swallowing, ear pain which occurs on one side only, a sore under a denture which even after adjustment of dentures, still does not heal, and a lump or thickening which develops in the mouth or neck, indicate oral cancer and should be checked by the dental clinics here on CNMI.
The dentist or doctor can see or feel the precancerous tissue changes or any early cancer, finding it at the most curable stages, three minutes of the check up will save your life from the disease itself.
CNMI advocates fighting oral cancer urged the public that everyone over the age of 18 should be screened annually, which is simple, painless, and quick.
“Early detection saves lives,” they said.
Inos also urged the CNMI community to avail of the services provided and fight oral cancer together and save a life every day.
OK, So why not have more info about where and what treatment is available on Saipan?
So is there any actually any treatment for oral Cancer available on Island NOW?
As unless a patient is from the “correct family” there is no medical referral. The regular working person (or unemployed) will not get any treatment and unless they can afford to go off island on their own will surely die a very bad death.
Guam in the past was not much better.
But Guam should be very good once they open the new hospital there. The cost may be another story.
The cost of Radiation treatment for oral Cancer in the Phil. at Sacred Hearts,Hospital,Cancer Institute in Angeles City is about $100 per session. (State of the Art, German computerized machine)
Depending on stage of cancer (and location) about 33-45 sessions. If in conjunction with Chemo, the chemo can run around $1k a month for minimum 3 months. (or small amounts each radiation session)
In Manila much more cost. This plus cost of rental place (about $150 month)and food etc.