Soap Star In Real-Life Cancer Battle

(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.