Nicole Stout and WVU Physical Therapy colleagues Megan Burkhart and Renee Riffle McGinnis discuss a potential project for head and neck cancer patients.

With an increase in the number of people living with chronic disease, the World Health Organization has identified rehabilitation as a priority healthy strategy for the 21st century and, to help lead that strategy, a West Virginia University researcher.

Innovative Technique at WVU Medicine and WVU School of Dentistry To Improve Oral Cancer Patients’ Outcomes, Healing Times

The WVU Medicine Otolaryngology, WVU Dental, and School of Dentistry team following a procedure using the Alberta Reconstructive Technique. Left to Right: Dr. Ryan McCloy, Dr. Matthew Harper, Dr. Meghan Turner, Dr. William Stokes, and Dr. Jeffson Chung

When oral cancers are advanced and invade the jawbone, patients need to have their jawbone removed, along with the teeth. The jawbone can be reconstructed using fibular bone, but cancer patients usually have to wait many months or even years to get prosthetic teeth after their cancer treatment.

However, a recent collaboration between West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry and WVU Medicine will allow oral cancer patients to receive dental implants at the time of cancer surgery through an innovative approach called the Alberta Reconstructive Technique.

WVU Cancer Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium

Please join us for the 2021 WVU Cancer Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Program Symposium on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2:00-4:00 PM in Cancer Center Hoylman Atrium. We will have short poster-style presentations of seven undergraduate students working in the Cancer Institute labs over the summer.

Caitlin Cowell from Harvard College, mentor Dr. Elena Pugacheva

Aryon Marshall from WVU, mentor Dr. Steven Frisch

Ashley Eby from WVU, mentor Dr. Lori Hazlehurst

Lev Ivanov from University of Pittsburgh, mentor Dr. Michael Hu

Brianne Falatovich from Seton Hill College, mentor Dr. Lan Guo

Adam Bobak from Seton Hill College, mentor Dr. Sonikpreet Aulakh

Morgan Glass from WVU, mentor Dr. Paul Lockman

School of Dentistry Uses Academy of General Dentistry Grant To Offer Oral Cancer Screenings

Free oral cancer screenings are scheduled September 25

As part of its mission to provide comprehensive oral healthcare and support overall patient wellness, the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, supported by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), will host “Catch It Early”, a free oral cancer screening and awareness initiative this fall.

The WV Oral Health Program, Mountains of Hope Cancer Coalition and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network have also partnered with the dental school to help make the screening and awareness event possible.

Those interested in the “Catch It Early” event can visit with dental school students and faculty on the downtown campus near Martin Hall or at the WVU Student Rec Center in space provided near the basketball courts.

If you have story ideas, photos or other announcements you would like to see in weekly WVU Cancer eNews please send requests to Lori Acciavatti at wvucancer@hsc.wvu.edu.