PRE-OHANCAW -- FINAL
MEDICAL NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
BRETT BUTLER, BASEBALL GREAT AND CANCER SURVIVOR, URGES PUBLIC TO GET SCREENED FOR
ORAL, HEAD AND NECK CANCER
SUGGESTED ANCHOR LEAD: BASEBALL SEASON IS IN FULL SWING AND NOW A FORMER ALL-STAR IS DRIVING HOME AN IMPORTANT HEALTH MESSAGE. BASEBALL GREAT AND CANCER SURVIVOR BRETT BUTLER IS SHARING HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO ENCOURAGE THOSE AT RISK TO GET SCREENED FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER, WHICH IF CAUGHT EARLY CAN BE HIGHLY TREATABLE. CHRISTIANE ARBESU HAS MORE.
VIDEO: AUDIO:
Brett Butler baseball footage
[4:45-5:37 Brett, with Dodgers makes over-the-wall catch, runs to dugout] / DURING HIS 17 years IN THE major leagUeS, CENTER FIELDER brett butler faced SOME TOUGH COMPETITION. but HE OVERCAME HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE OFF THE FIELD.Brett Butler
Retired Major League Baseball Star
/ “I had a sore throat lasting long enough to bring me to the doctor just as the season started in 1996. My doctor discovered that a cancerous tumor on my tonsil was causing the trouble. Shortly after, I had surgery and radiation treatment.”Dr. Day office footage
Footage of people smoking, drinking / According to the American Cancer Society, This year more than 60,000 will be diagnosed with cancers of the head and neck region, and chronic tobacco and Alcohol users are most at risk. these cancers kill 12,000 each year, But, if caught early, THey can be highly TREATABLE.
Terry Day, MD, President, Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation / “Early diagnosis of cancers of the mouth and throat is very important. Number one, it’s important because the cure rate is so much better when they’re diagnosed early. Secondly, if the cancer is advanced, or diagnosed late, the complications related to treatment can be extremely severe.”]
Brett Butler baseball footage
[9:00-9:30 Brett, with Dodgers, in first game back after cancer surgery, cheered by crowds][7:02-7:25 Brett, in Dodger dugout with arm around fellow player, talking to other teammates] / BRETT, WHO RETIRED AS A PLAYER IN 1997, IS NOW CANCER-FREE AND CONTINUES TO PURSUE HIS LOVE OF THE GAME AS A MINOR LEAGUE MANAGER.
BUT ONE REMINDER OF HIS RADIATION TREATMENT STILL LINGERS -- DRY MOUTH, WHICH FORCES BRETT TO CARRY A WATER BOTTLE WITH HIM EVERYWHERE HE GOES.
Terry Day, MD, President, Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation / “Dry mouth is a common complication of radiation therapy to the head and neck region. Dry mouth can result in significant problems to the things that people do every day of their lives, like talking, speaking, swallowing, chewing.”
Ethyol product shot
Doctor/patient exam / Fortunately there are now newer advances in therapy, SUCH AS ETHYOL (EH-THIGH-ALL), WHICH IS APPROVED BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF MODERATE TO SEVERE DRY MOUTH IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIATION.Brett Butler baseball footage
[4:20-4:35 Brett, with Giants, gets a hit, crowd stands and cheers, he gets on base] / brett IS ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC, especially those at higher risk, to SEE THEIR DOCTOR OR DENTIST TO get screened. Free head and neck cancer screenings will be held nationwide on friday, april 23.Brett Butler
Retired Major League Baseball Star
/ “You owe it to your family and loved ones to get yourself checked. I’m living proof that early diagnosis and treatment can improve your chances of surviving oral, head and neck cancer.”CHRISTIANE ARBESU REPORTING.
SUGGESTED ANCHOR TAG: FOR MORE INFORMATION ON A FREE SCREENING SITE NEAR YOU, LOG ON TO WWW.HEADANDNECK.ORG.
B-Roll Quotes
Dr. Terry Day of the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation
“Oral and head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth and throat. These cancers are usually found when somebody has a red or white patch in their mouth or on their tongue that doesn’t go away. Also some people with cancers of the voice box have hoarseness that doesn’t go away. It’s really important that these are diagnosed early so that they can be cured without significant complications.” [11:24:01:26]
“Anybody that uses tobacco and alcohol, or has used these substances in the past, should take part in the free screening day April the 23rd. These are the people that are at highest risk of developing oral and head and neck cancers.” [12:03:42:10]
“It is so important that people understand that cancers of the oral cavity, and the head and neck exist. Nothing upsets me more than when I see a new patient come into the office and they have a tongue cancer. And they and their family have no idea that they could even develop a cancer of the tongue. It’s important that we educate the entire public of the United States, as well as health professionals on this disease.” [12:14:23:03]
Brett Butler Retired Major League Baseball Star
[sound bites to be filmed on April 13]