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CURE’s head & neck cancer page is a go-to resource for oncology news and updates in the world of head & neck cancer Here, readers will find cancer articles, videos, podcasts, and more with expert insight to the latest treatments and research in head & neck cancer.

Last week brought the approval of two new cancer therapies, as well as some data about the ongoing cancer drug shortage and which groups of patients may be affected most. Also, CURE® spoke to an expert about how sexual activity — while not a requirement — may help follow-up exams be more comfortable for cervical cancer survivors.

In this episode, we’re looking back at the top oncology news from last week, and brining patients the information they need to know.

Patients on Medicaid Disproportionately Affected by Drug Shortage

Despite initiatives from the federal government, the shortage of chemotherapy drugs — namely cisplatin and carboplatin — continues. Now, a recent survey from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network found that patients who are insured by Medicaid are three times more likely to be affected by the chemo shortage than individuals who get their health insurance through their provider. Findings also showed that 38% of patients who experienced delays in treatment had delays that lasted a month or more, while 35% said that they had difficulty getting insurance to fill a prescription related to a shortage, such as a substitute drug.

Back in September, the White House outlined steps that they’re taking to mitigate the ongoing drug shortage, such as collaborating with health care providers and drug manufacturers.

FDA Approves Loqtorzi Regimens for Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The first of two FDA approvals last week happened on Monday, Oct. 30, when the agency approved Loqtorzi plus the chemotherapy drugs, gemcitabine and cisplatin, for the treatment of patients with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The drug was also approved on Monday as a single agent — that means given alone — for patients with unresectable, recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma that got worse on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

The Loqtorzi/chemotherapy combination was based off findings from the JUPITER-02 trial, while the POLARIS-02 trial led to the single-agent approval. The former found that the Loqtorzi-containing regimen improved progression-free survival (time from treatment until disease worsens or death) compared to placebo plus the chemo drugs, while the latter showed improved response rates with Loqtorzi.

FDA Approves Keytruda Plus Chemo for Locally Advanced, Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer

On Wednesday, the FDA approved the immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, plus two chemotherapy drugs — gemcitabine and cisplatin — for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or unresectable metastatic biliary tract cancer.

Findings from the phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 clinical trial, which showed that overall survival (time from treatment until death of any cause) was better with the Keytruda-containing regimen than it was for the chemotherapy duo alone. Notably, there was no significant difference in progression-free survival between the two regimens. Essentially, that means that patients tended to experience disease worsening at around the same rate or time, however, those in the Keytruda group tended to live longer. Trial results also showed that there was a higher percentage of patients in the Keytruda group whose disease completely disappeared.

Follow-Up Exams More ‘Tolerable’ With Sexual Activity After Cervical Cancer

In the gynecologic cancer space, recent research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting found that cervical cancer follow-up appointments may be more comfortable or tolerable for patients who are sexually active.

CURE® spoke with one of the study authors, Dr. Kathrin Kirchheiner, who mentioned that sexual activity is by no means necessary for this patient population. She understands that the disease and its treatments can affect libido or make sex physically uncomfortable. However, if patients with gynecologic cancer are experiencing sexual side effects, they should certainly bring it up to their health care providers.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

CURE® editors take a look back on last week’s major oncology headlines, from the cancer drug shortage to FDA approvals and the potential benefit of sexual activity for cervical cancer survivors. 

An Update on the Cancer Drug Shortage, FDA Approvals and Cervical Cancer

Bill C. Potts, author of the book “Up for the Fight,” lends his experiences and knowledge about cancer to his readers as a five-time cancer survivor.

“In September of 2020, I woke up from surgery to remove a really painful tumor in below my right hip,” Potts told 

 during an exclusive interview. “And I had an emotional breakdown, when I was waking up from the surgery in the recovery room, and they called in the pastor and we talked through a lot of things, including the reasons why I should continue to fight the battle. And at the end of that conversation, the pastor told me that I should turn my pain into purpose and write a book to help others.”

In 2002, at 42 years old, Potts received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Since then, he has experienced four cases of lymphoma and, most recently, received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Potts knew he needed to share his story with others, so during chemotherapy treatments, he picked up his laptop and began writing. He grasped the opportunity to urge fellow patients to advocate for themselves, as he learned to do.

Potts, at 63 years old, recently celebrated two years in remission and chooses to live in the moment, spending each day doing what he wants to do.

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, Potts speaks with 

 about his cancer journey and his book “Up for the Fight.”

“I'd kept my cancer (a) secret until the book came out. And now that the book is out, it's challenging at times, because it's hard to talk about,” he said. “Sometimes it can be triggering to talk about it, but mostly what I find is that it's rewarding, and the impact that it's having on other cancer patients. So, I would say that it's a responsibility.”

Since sharing his story through writing his book, others with similar experiences have also picked it up, which Potts said was encouraging. It further motivated him to promote his book as a guide for patients and their families. Potts told 

 that he especially wanted to promote the book to patients experiencing cancer right after being diagnosis, “so that it can make a difference in their journey.”

Potts explained that he didn’t have guides to turn to when he was first diagnosed, and emphasized how this book was one he wished someone else had written for him. Or, as he describes it, “there really wasn’t that how-to guide out there, like ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting,’ but for cancer.”

Now, the book has become Potts’ purpose.

Potts admitted that he didn’t “own his journey” when he was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “I let the doctors tell me what to do, and that that decision still may cost me my life,” he said. “So, the first thing is that you have to create the mindset, that this is me, it's my job. And the key part is the job part, to get better and to own the journey, that it's a little bit counterintuitive to a lot of people that you own your journey, not the healthcare team. But the healthcare team appreciates a patient that owns their journey.”

In “Up for the Fight,” Potts stresses to his readers that owning their journeys and advocating for themselves is necessary. He told 

 some tips that worked for him: research potential cancer treatment centers, get a second opinion, take notes during appointments, build relationships with care teams, communicate with doctors and care teams, research the drugs and treatments that will be used and ensure proper mental and emotional support.

“I do that through groups on Facebook, which is super helpful, but professional help, like therapists, things like that is also a great way to own your journey,” Potts said during the interview. “And I really have been lucky to get to know a lot of people through the book (who) are owning their journey and that also inspires me (and) gives me hope.”

Bill C. Potts, author and five-time cancer survivor, lends his experience and tips about cancer to others in his book, “Up for the Fight.”

Author, Five-Time Cancer Survivor Shares His Experiences in New Book

Known for his roles on animated series like Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, voice actor Rob Paulsen has made a living with his voice for more than three decades. But he wasn’t about to let stage 3 metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in his throat stop him from bringing happiness to people of all ages with his portrayal of characters like Yakko, Pinky, and Donatello.

Talks Cancer podcast, we spoke with Paulsen about how he’s stepping into his new role as the 2020 Head and Neck Cancer Alliance celebrity spokesperson with the same enthusiasm that has made him a voice acting legend in his own time.

He plans to raise awareness about the disease by sharing how his experience helped him find a reason to smile, even when times get tough.

Rob Paulsen

This week on the CURE Talks Cancer podcast, we spoke with voice actor Rob Paulsen, who was diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in 2016, about how his experience helped him find a reason to smile, even when times get tough.
 

A Powerful Voice in Head and Neck Cancer

With no symptoms besides a lump in his neck, Jason Mendelsohn was devastated to discover he was being diagnosed with stage 4 HPV-related throat cancer at the age of 44.

Determined to raise awareness about these types of cancers, as well as their vaccines, screening and treatments, Jason created a website called 

 and recently joined a congressional briefing to help others understand the elimination of HPV-related cancer is within reach.

In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with Jason Mendelsohn, a stage 4 HPV-related throat cancer survivor who created a web site geared to raising awareness about HPV-related cancers.

SupermanHPV: Fighting Against HPV-Related Cancers

 Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with a caregiver about support needed for others taking care of a loved one with cancer: They need it, too, she says.

In a letter to her younger self — through Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan “With Love, Me” campaign – Kristi, a caregiver to who her husband who was diagnosed with stage 3 HPV-related tonsil cancer in 2013, addressed the labels associated with a cancer diagnosis and the support she hopes others receive when caring for a loved one with the disease.

“Nothing about cancer is going to be by the book — there is no book,” she says. “You can talk to other people who have experienced similar cancers, but just as every person is unique, so is their cancer. Inconsistency is going to become the only consistency.”

In this week’s episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with a caregiver about support for others taking care of a loved one with cancer through a letter she wrote to her younger self.

Cancer Caregivers Need Support, Too

You’d think that, after being the drummer in a multi-platinum rock and roll band that has sold more than 40 million albums and DVDs since bursting onto the music scene in the mid-80’s, life would be “Nothin’ But a Good Time” for Poison drummer Rikki Rockett.

However, back in 2015, Rikki received a throat cancer diagnosis that would change his life.

This week, we’re kicking off the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance’s 21

 annual Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week with Rikki, who opened up about his experience with HPV-attributed throat cancer, how immunotherapy made a difference in his treatment , and why individuals should “Open Up and Say Ahh” at free oral, head and neck cancer screenings around the country this week. 

To find a free screening location in your area and to learn more about Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, visit 

In this Special Edition of CURE Talks Cancer, we chat with Poison drummer and throat cancer survivor Rikki Rockett about his cancer journey and why it's important to "Open Up and Say... Ahh!" during Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. 

Drumming Out Head and Neck Cancer with Rikki Rockett

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, and every moment is a gift, no matter what that moment looks like, says Jill Kelly, wife of Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly.

Jill is very familiar with the caregiver role — first helping her son Hunter, who was diagnosed with a fatal nervous system disease in 1997, and now with her husband, who was diagnosed with his third bout with head and neck cancer earlier this year.

In conjunction with National Family Caregivers Month, we spoke with Jill Kelly about her husband’s journey with cancer, and how she copes as a caregiver through her family, journaling and her faith.

For more information on Jim and Jill’s advocacy work, visit 

http://www.yourcancergameplan.com/people-living-with-cancer

In this week’s episode of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with Jill Kelly – wife of Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly – about his bout with head and neck cancer, and how she copes as a caregiver.

Advice for Caregivers: It's Okay to Not be Okay Sometimes

 Talks Cancer, we spoke with Elizabeth Langdon, from the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, about how the organization helps to raise awareness for the prevention, early detection and research for the disease.

Head and neck cancer accounts for about 4 percent of all cancers in the United States, with more than 64 thousand people who have or will develop the disease this year.

 Talks Cancer, we spoke with Elizabeth Langdon, vice president of strategic communications and development at the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, about how the organization helps to raise awareness for the prevention, early detection and research of head and neck cancer.

In this episode of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with Elizabeth Langdon, vice president of strategic communications and development at the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, about how the organization helps to raise awareness for the prevention, early detection and research of head and neck cancer.

The Basics of Head and Neck Cancer

Jim Kelly is a decorated NFL Hall of Fame quarterback who led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances and six divisional championships from 1988 to 1995.

In 2013, Jim was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw and has since experienced 

. While looking to the four Fs (faith, family, friends and the fans) to help him through his cancer journey, Jim lives by making the difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow. It is because of this, Jim was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at this year’s ESPY Awards.

 Talks Cancer, we spoke with Jim about his experience with head and neck cancer, and the humbling experience of winning the Jimmy V award.

In this special edition of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly about his experience with head and neck cancer, and the humbling experience of winning the Jimmy V award for Perseverance at this year’s ESPY Awards.

Jim Kelly: Never Give Up

 Talks Cancer, Eli D. Bebout, a former republican state senator in Wyoming, discussed the two coincidences that ultimately led him to discover his cancer diagnoses: a Wyoming gubernatorial-election loss and an eventual swallowed fish bone that led him back into the doctor’s office. 

He also discussed how he stayed motivated during his bouts with the disease and how his personal health issues influenced his politics.

In this week's episode, state senator Eli D. Bebout discusses his two bouts with cancer, and how his health struggles influenced his politics.

The Political Patient

A breakthrough therapy designation was granted to petosemtamab by the FDA to treat patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers. 

FDA Expedites Review of Petosemtamab in Head and Neck Cancer

Patients with laryngeal cancer who stopped smoking before receiving treatment had better survival outcomes, compared with patients who actively smoke.

Quitting Smoking Before Laryngeal Cancer Treatment Improves Survival

Cancer is an emotionless assassin that can attack us and the ones we love most.

Head & Neck Cancer

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