National Video Contest Inspires Awareness of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) announced today the launch of a national video contest as a prelude to Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week® (OHANCAW®), April 14 – 20, 2013, an annual initiative to increase public knowledge of the signs, symptoms and risk factors associated with oral, head and neck cancer and provide the public with access to free screenings. The video competition is designed to promote creativity and awareness among young adults who are now increasingly affected by this disease.

According to results of a new survey fielded online among over 2,100 U.S. adults by Harris Interactive on behalf of the HNCA in January 2013, 64% of Americans are not knowledgeable about oral, head and neck cancer, and over 7 in 10 (71%) say that they have not been examined by a medical professional for the disease. Only 13% of Americans know that human papillomavirus (HPV) – the same virus that causes cervical cancer – is now associated with throat cancer.

"Over the past decade, there has been a shift in those at high risk for oral, head and neck cancer. This disease used to be most common among tobacco and alcohol users, but now we're seeing a higher prevalence among younger adults, largely associated with HPV," said Terry Day, MD, President of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.  "With this video contest, our goal is to educate and provide a greater understanding of head and neck cancers because, when detected early, it is more easily treatable and the chances of survival greatly increase."

Contest participants, ages 18 through 24 years-old, are asked to submit 30-second videos encouraging increased education and awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. Submissions are being accepted March 4 through March 31, 2013. Each video submission must contain at least three facts provided in the Oral Cancer PSA toolkit. An HNCA panel will choose the winning entries. The Grand Prize winner will receive an Apple iPad® with Retina Display and chance to have their video aired on television. Second and third place winners will receive monetary gifts of $200 and $100.

For more information regarding eligibility, video submission guidelines and contest rules, please visit www.OHANCAWchallenge.com.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive via its QuickQuery omnibus product on behalf of the HNCA from January 2-4, 2013 among 2,126 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Lauren Abel at MCS Healthcare Public Relations ([email protected] / 800-477-9626).

About Oral, Head and Neck Cancer (OHNC)
OHNC is a common form of cancer affecting any part of the oral cavity, pharynx, throat, thyroid and larynx (voice box). Approximately 109,000 Americans were diagnosed with a form of OHNC in 2012, resulting in an estimated 13,000 deaths.  When you break down the number diagnosed by region, you have: Oral Cavity and Pharynx (40,250), Larynx (12,360) and Thyroid (56,460).  Regular check-ups can detect the early stages of head and neck cancer or conditions that may lead to it. For those cancers caught at a later stage, treatment is available and may require various combinations of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

About OHANCAW®
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week^® (OHANCAW^®), coordinated by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), is a week dedicated to promoting education, prevention, screening and early detection of mouth and throat cancers. OHANCAW is highlighted by free screenings held at participating medical centers across the country.

The 16th annual Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week will be held April 14 – 20, 2013. Bristol-Myers Squibb has provided funding for free screenings as part of the company's support of OHANCAW. For more information, please visit the OHANCAW website at www.headandneck.org.

About the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance
The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), started in 1984 as the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, is hoping to reduce incidence and increase survival through these efforts. Its mission is to advance prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation of oral, head and neck cancer through public awareness, research, advocacy and survivorship. Through united and collaborative efforts, HNCA provides support to head and neck cancer patients throughout the year, supports ongoing research in head and neck oncology and educates children and adults in the disease process, treatment and prevention of oral, head and neck cancer.

Media Contact:
Lauren Abel
MCS Healthcare Public Relations
(800) 477-9626
[email protected]

SOURCE Head and Neck Cancer Alliance