Soap Star In Real-Life Cancer Battle

Colleen Zenk Pinter, Of "As the World Turns," Had Oral Cancer On Her Tongue

(CBS)  Doctors tell us to wear sunscreen and hats to prevent skin cancer, and get tested for prostate cancer and cervical cancer.

But did you know oral cancer kills more people than any of those others? And it's been occurring in more and more women, and has now been linked to the same HPV virus associated with cervical cancer.

Colleen Zenk Pinter, who's played Barbara Ryan on the CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" for almost 30 years, has been involved in a real-life drama, fighting oral cancer, a potential killer few people have even heard of, for the past seven months.

She discussed the medical and professional challenges it posed with co-anchor Hannah Storm on The Early Show Thursday.

Pinter, 54, who doesn't smoke or drink, told Storm that, at first, she thought she had a common canker sore, which went away. But when it came back and persisted, she saw her doctor, who had her go to a specialist the next day.

Three surgeries later, including removal and reconstruction of part of, and the insertion of radioactive beads in her tongue, she's been declared cancer-free.

The only noticeable lingering effect is a slight lisp, and she's been back at work.

Pinter says fans thought she'd had a stroke, or dental work done.

She stressed to Storm that everyone should be screened for oral cancer on a regular basis, by their dentist or another health care provider.

For much more on Pinter's story, watch the interview by clicking here.

For a wealth of resources, visit the Web site of the Oral Cancer Foundation.

[previn2]

She''s still a real beauty after all these years! All the love and best wishes are sent your way.

[marj69-2009]

I saw the interview with Hannah, and wanted Colleen Pinter to know, how much I enjoy her work on "As The World Turns" I know I will have my throat checked the next time I see my Dr. I am 74 years old and have watched the soaps on CBS for many years. I live in Kansas and believe Mrs. Pinter was married to the son of a friend of mine Dr. William Crouch, her children with him must be grown by now, it has been some time ago. I have watched her current husband on another of my favorites "The Guiding Light" Mark Pinter.

[jpro9]

Thank you CBS for airing this story and raising awareness of this disease and providing additional resources where people can obtain information.

Colleen, thank you for your bravery in coming forward and speaking of your battle and letting people know that they should have regular oral cancer screenings by their oral health provider. Early detection will be the key to saving lives and more than a visual inspection of the mouth is necessary if this is to happen. I wish for you continued good health. Thank you again for speaking out and sharing what I know is an emotional experience.

[sharmichele]

I would like to thank CBS and Colleen for doing this story . As a young Oral cancer Pt myself with No risk factors , I am Glad that this disease is being publicly talked about and that the importance of Early Detection is Stressed.

I found my own cancer and have to convince Drs that is was somthing to be concerned with as it was there for 9 months. Colleen , I would love to say a special thanks to you as it takes alot to come and talk publicly about your experinces, Yet we all know the difference it can make for another.
I would like to say to CBS Thanks you and Hopefully you can and will do more stories on this disease , as you said , This cancer kills more people then many other forms of cancer and has a high reccurence rate . 50 % of people diagnoses will not be alive in 5 years ..Education and Early dectection is Key ..With your Help ..maybe we can get the word out there !!

[mhupe-2009]

Thank you for sharing this story.

I think public awareness about oral cancer and the importance of regular screenings is a very important thing.

Colleen, thank you for being so compassionate and courageous to share your story. I wish you continued good health.

CBS, thank you for airing this. I hope you will continue to help create awareness for this very aggressive form of cancer. I do believe you can influence many people to seek early detection.

My husband''s oral cancer was stage 4 before it was discovered. Like many others, he didn''t have the risk factors or family history. So, it was a real surprise to us and his medical team when he was diagnosed.

I hope this story and future stories can help build the much needed awareness among the general public and the medical community to faciliate earlier diagnosis.

[mhupe-2009]

Thank you for sharing this story.

I think public awareness about oral cancer and the importance of regular screenings is a very important thing.

Colleen, thank you for being so compassionate and courageous to share your story. I wish you continued good health.

CBS, thank you for airing this. I hope you will continue to help create awareness for this very aggressive form of cancer. I do believe you can influence many people to seek early detection.

My husband''s oral cancer was stage 4 before it was discovered. Like many others, he didn''t have the risk factors or family history. So, it was a real surprise to us and his medical team when he was diagnosed.

I hope this story and future stories can help build the much needed awareness among the general public and the medical community to faciliate earlier diagnosis.

[mhupe-2009]

Thank you for sharing this story.

I think public awareness about oral cancer and the importance of regular screenings is a very important thing.

Colleen, thank you for being so compassionate and courageous to share your story. I wish you continued good health.

CBS, thank you for airing this. I hope you will continue to help create awareness for this very aggressive form of cancer. I do believe you can influence many people to seek early detection.

My husband''s oral cancer was stage 4 before it was discovered. Like many others, he didn''t have the risk factors or family history. So, it was a real surprise to us and his medical team when he was diagnosed.

I hope this story and future stories can help build the much needed awareness among the general public and the medical community to faciliate earlier diagnosis.

[mhupe-2009]

Thank you for sharing this story.

I think public awareness about oral cancer and the importance of regular screenings is a very important thing.

Colleen, thank you for being so compassionate and courageous to share your story. I wish you continued good health.

CBS, thank you for airing this. I hope you will continue to help create awareness for this very aggressive form of cancer. I do believe you can influence many people to seek early detection.

My husband''s oral cancer was stage 4 before it was discovered. Like many others, he didn''t have the risk factors or family history. So, it was a real surprise to us and his medical team when he was diagnosed.

I hope this story and future stories can help build the much needed awareness among the general public and the medical community to faciliate earlier diagnosis.

[mhupe-2009]

Thank you for sharing this story.

I think public awareness about oral cancer and the importance of regular screenings is a very important thing.

Colleen, thank you for being so compassionate and courageous to share your story. I wish you continued good health.

CBS, thank you for airing this. I hope you will continue to help create awareness for this very aggressive form of cancer. I do believe you can influence many people to seek early detection.

My husband''s oral cancer was stage 4 before it was discovered. Like many others, he didn''t have the risk factors or family history. So, it was a real surprise to us and his medical team when he was diagnosed.

I hope this story and future stories can help build the much needed awareness among the general public and the medical community.

[muffet16]

Thank you Colleen for coming forward to make people aware of this type of cancer. A great big Thank You to CBS and the Early Show for showcasing a little known killer cancer.

[crosbykf]

I too am an Oral Cancer Foundation Member and I want to thank you Colleen for helping spread the word about this little know killer. As a survivor of tongue cancer, I feel more needs to be done to help prevent this disease and to raise awareness that oral cancers are not limited to smokers or heavy drinkers.

Congratulations on your report of being cancer-free!

[jalcbj]

Public attention to this particular killer is long overdue. I was diagnosed with tongue base cancer in March. Despite regular dental visits and ENT visits, it was first noticed by an anesthesiologist during neck fusion surgery. After a bilateral neck dissection, 39 radiation treatments and 8 weeks of chemotherapy, I am cancer free. I am 51, and live daily with the fear of recurrence, which the Sword of Damocles we all have hanging over our heads.

This disease is preventable and treatable, but still kills half of the people diagnosed with it within 5 years. Courageous people like Colleen, and great organizations like the Oral Cancer Foundation, help enormously, but we need more public involvement to conquer this beast.

[amymy-2009]

To Colleen and CBS, I lost my "young" 64 yr. old husband to oral cancer in Feb. of this year. Thank you both for helping to spread the news about this form of cancer. It can be prevented and it can be treated. There needs to be much more discussion in the news about Oral Cancer and the prevention of it- as well as the importance of early diagnosis. Please continue to cover Oral Cancer. Amy

[talbill]

Colleen, Thank you for going public with your battle with oral cancer. With the help of people like you and CBS maybe this disease will start getting the attention needed to at least educate the public on early detection. The Oral Cancer Foundation is loaded with information about this disease and helped me beat this cancer. Everyone should at least read about the symtoms and know what to look for. It could sve your life.

[wilckdds]

As an Oral Cancer Foundation member, a dentist and an oral cancer survivor, I would like to personally thank Colleen and CBS for bringing this important message to the public. I am happy to see that Colleen is now cancer free and I wish her continued good health in the future. It is so very important that all patients demand that their dentists are doing thorough oral cancer screenings. If they are not, they should change dentists. Early Detection Saves Lives!

I hope everyone checks out the above link to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

[hilllaguna]

Thank you Colleen for coming forward and using your personal battle and celebrity to do good in the world. Thanks also to CBS and the Early Show for realizing that this disease only holds its high ranking as a killer because it is routinely found so late. The way to turn that around is public awareness and early detection. CBS and Colleen have provided an important step in the right direction.

[jamrrs2]

I am so happy to FINALLY see someone in the public eye make everyone more aware of this deadly disease. I hope it encourages EVERYONE to get routine dental care. It''s the only way to fight it!

[pcecbs06]

Colleen is a class act and one of the best actresses on ATWT - one who was able to pull off doormat and diva equally well.

I hope she is in great health and 100% cancer-free.