The Fight Oral Cancer Foundation (FOCF) has launched www.fightoralcancer.org to increase public awareness of oral cancer.
With 35,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year, only 59% of diagnosed patients are expected to survive longer than five years, according to the foundation. Despite the deadly nature of this disease, however, the American public remains generally unaware of the risk factors and the critical importance of early detection, the FOCF said.
"Today, one person every hour of every day dies from oral cancer," said Arma Shahidi-Fitzgerald, FOCF founder and president, in a press release.
Fitzgerald, who was crowned Mrs. International 2009 earlier this month, was inspired to launch the foundation after losing a dear friend to the disease. "She was diagnosed too late to be treated," she said. "What made this loss more painful was that early detection could have saved her life."
In addition to learning more about the foundation and disease, the Web site also allows viewers to donate to the foundation, offers suggestions on how to get involved with the cause, and includes an interactive blog with the latest news on oral cancer.
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