Our Causes and Charities

Smokeless does not mean Harmless

For Immediate Release                                                                Contact: Steve Markus
March 1, 2001                                                                              The Centre for Dentistry
                                                                                                     (856)547-Tooth

Haddon Heights, NJ Dentist Joins Joe Garagiola
To Promote Oral Cancer Screening Hotline: 1-866-ORAL HEALTH
 

Calling it a "great day for the health of the people of South Jersey, and a bad day for oral cancer," broadcaster and former Major League Baseball player Joe Garagiola  welcomed Dr. Steve Markus to the war on oral cancer.  Garagiola chairs Oral Health America's (OHA) National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP) which is partnering with the Crown Council and Minor League Baseball to launch a major effort to reduce the high mortality rate of oral cancer by encouraging those at risk to take advantage of a new screening procedure that can detect abnormalities in the mouth before they become cancerous.
 

"Spit tobacco can cause oral cancer and oral cancer is a killer," said Dr. Markus.  "Of all the major cancers, oral cancer has the worst five-year survival rate-only 54%.  However, like most cancers, if it can be detected early, the survival rates are greatly increased.  The earlier it's caught, the better."
 
 

Dr. Steve Markus is a member of the Crown Council, a national organization of dental practitioners committed to promoting good oral health through a variety of community-based charitable activities. Crown Council and NSTEP this year are sponsoring a national cancer awareness campaign with the 160-member teams in Minor League Baseball.  The campaign promotes greater awareness about the dangers of smokeless or "spit" tobacco use and its close association with oral cancer.  It also encourages those who are most at-risk for oral cancer to see a dentist who can perform the simple, yet potentially life-saving screening.

OHA, a Chicago-based national organization, reports that since oral  cancer is generally not diagnosed in its early stages, less than half of all who have the disease are cured.  Dr. Markus and his team routinely examine every patient at their check-up appointments for oral cancer.  "Anyone concerned about their health should be including  oral cancer exams as part of their routine screenings. e.g. pap smears, PSA's and mammography."

"I'm excited that Dr. Markus will be offering this simple and painless procedure to his patients.  We have to spread the message that SMOKELESS DOES NOT MEAN HARMLESS." Said Garagiola.

"I can't recommend strongly enough that people make an appointment to be  screened against this disease, especially if they are tobacco users," responded Dr. Markus.  "Our organization has a toll-free number where you can find a dentist who can perform the procedure-1-866-ORAL HEALTH; or my office at 856-528-3464.