Detroit Mercy Dental SNDA Chapter Annual Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Walk

Detroit Mercy Dental Student National Dental Association hosts its Oral Cancer Walk annually to raise awareness for oral cancer. 100% of funds generated from the walk are donated to Detroit Mercy Dental's Oral Cancer Biopsy Fund. 

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers in the United States are for 2018:About 51,540 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer. An estimated 10,030 people will die of these cancers.These cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women. They are about equally common in blacks and in whites.In recent years, the overall rate of new cases of human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers has been dropping. But there's been an ongoing rise in cases of oropharyngeal cancer linked to HPV infection in both men and women.The death rate for these cancers has been decreasing over the last 30 years.Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers occur most often in the following sites:The tongue, The tonsils and oropharynx, The gums, floor of the mouth, and other parts of the mouthThe rest are found in the lips, the minor salivary glands (which often occur in the roof of the mouth), and other sites.The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62, but they can occur in young people. They are rare in children, but a little more than one-quarter occur in patients younger than 55.

The Student National Dental Association (SNDA) is an organization that promotes and supports the academic and social environment of minority dental students. For more than 40 years, SNDA has provided oral hygiene education through various outreach efforts, with emphasis on minorities and the underserved. These opportunities allow our members to provide a service that has improved the quality of life for many.

The time has come for the Detroit Mercy’s SNDA Chapter to host its 2018 Oral Cancer Walk fundraiser. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 50,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer in 2018, with more than 20% of cases resulting in death. Historically, oral cancer has been linked to smoking and alcohol use, but in recent years there has been an emergence in the occurrence of oral cancer related to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This widens the population at risk and heightens the need for early detection and cancer awareness.

The purpose of The Oral Cancer Walk is to promote awareness of the prevalence and risk factors for the disease, and to provide accessibility to early detection by way of screening patients that may be at risk. Proceeds collected from this event will benefit the Detroit Mercy Oral Biopsy Fund; covering the costs for the underserved in need of a biopsy and support the mission of our SNDA chapter.

SNDA’s Oral Cancer Walk will be held on Saturday, September 15th, 2018 from 9:00 am - 1:00pm. We are asking that you consider making a financial donation. SNDA is a registered nonprofit organization, so your donation is tax-deductible. In recognition of your generosity, you will be acknowledged throughout promotion of the event via the event flyers, banners, t-shirts, along with Detroit Mercy Dental and SNDA social media outlets. Please make checks payable to: “University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry -SNDA”(in the memo please write “oral cancer walk”). We are also accepting cash, Venmo (@UDMSNDA) and credit card donaitons.