NIH News Release
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
 National Institute of Dental
and Craniofacial Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 11, 1999

Katherine Wahl
(301) 402-7364

Media Invitation - Visiting a dentist can make a difference in cancer treatment

Visiting a dentist can make a difference in cancer treatment. A new health awareness campaign from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) explains how proper oral care can prevent or minimize painful complications in the mouth that affect up to one-third of patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Head and neck radiation, chemotherapy for any cancer, and bone marrow transplantation can cause oral complications that may further compromise patients' health and quality of life, as well as affect their ability to complete cancer treatment. Many oncologists, dentists and patients, however, are unaware of the right steps to take to prevent or manage these potentially serious side effects.

Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You: Fitting the Pieces Together informs health professionals and patients about what they can do to reduce the risk and impact of oral complications. Health writers are invited to attend a briefing and luncheon to launch the campaign on January 27, 1999, from 12-2 p.m. at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. If you wish to attend the briefing or receive more information about the campaign, please fill out the form below and fax it to NOHIC at (301) 907-8830 by January 21, 1999.

The NIDCR is conducting the awareness campaign through the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse (NOHIC), a service of the institute. Partners in the campaign include the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Nursing Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Attendees will hear experts discuss the scope, impact, management, and prevention of oral complications of cancer treatment. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Oral Health, Cancer Care, and You
Health Writers Briefing
January 27, 1999

_____I plan to attend the briefing. Please send me more information.

_____I cannot attend the briefing. Please send me a media kit.

Name_______________________________________________________________

Publication or Organization__________________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________________________

City_______________________________________State____________Zip________

Phone____________________Fax__________________E-mail__________________

Fax this form to NOHIC at (301) 907-8830 by January 21, 1999. If you have any questions, call Katherine Wahl at (301) 402-7364 or e-mail nidr@aerie.com.