Dr. Alice Horowitz's vision for a Maryland state model for the prevention and early detection of oral cancers

Oral cancers include those of the lips, tongue, pharynx and oral cavity. Nationally nearly 30,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths occur annually. Overall survival is 52% and has not changed in several decades. While early detection is pivotal to reducing oral cancer mortality, only 28% of Maryland adults in 1996 reported ever having an oral cancer examination. Maryland adults were not knowledgeable about oral cancer prevention and early detection and Maryland health care practitioners were not routinely offering oral cancer examinations. Because little was being done to address oral cancer in Maryland, Dr. Alice Horowitz challenged Maryland to address the HP2010 oral cancer objectives and develop a Model she was envisioning for the Prevention and Early Detection of Oral Cancers. This Model consisted of: 1) needs assessments; 2) development and pilot testing of educational materials and; 3) program evaluation. The Model provided baseline data on the knowledge, opinions and practices of the Maryland public and health care providers (physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and dental hygienists). The Model led to nearly $500,000 in oral cancer prevention funding to the Maryland Office of Oral Health and NIDCR used it to develop an initiative that funded other statewide oral cancer prevention best practices. By 2002, 42% of Maryland adults had received an oral cancer examination in the past year; a Maryland statewide oral cancer prevention program remains in place today. Dr. Horowitz's vision and leadership has led to nationwide oral cancer interventions designed to increase awareness, prevention and earlier detection of oral cancers.