BU Joins Fight Against Silent Killer

Oral cancer kills more than 7,000 Americans each year. When detected early, the disease is treatable with a high success rate. The disease has few symptoms, however, and is often detected too late.

On Sunday, September 21, the public received free oral cancer screenings from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) staff and student volunteers at “Walk the Rock,” a fundraiser in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to raise oral cancer awareness. Students and staff from Tufts University also participated.

This was the first year the screenings were available at the event, which a Massachusetts dental hygienist began in 2007. Some dental students also walked as part of the event and donations were collected by the BU chapter of the Vietnamese Student Dental Association (VSDA) the week prior to the event.