November 21, 2024

Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screening to be held

GALLIPOLIS, Ohio – In 2022, it is estimated that there will be more than 650,000 new cases of oral, head and neck cancer diagnosed worldwide, and unfortunately, many individuals will not be aware of their cancer until it has reached an advanced stage. Oral, head and neck cancer is now ranked in the top six cancers worldwide.

The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) and Holzer Health System are urging individuals to get screened during our free oral, head and neck cancer screening on Saturday, July 16 at Holzer Center for Cancer Care from 9 a.m. to noon. 

This free screening aims to catch cancers that arise in the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, thyroid glands, salivary glands, throat or larynx (voice box) at an early and treatable stage. Holzer encourages our community to participate in our free head and neck screening. Individuals will receive a thorough exam and learn more of the symptoms of head and neck cancers, which include: a lump or a sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty in swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. These symptoms may also be caused by other less serious conditions. However, it’s important to get screened right away.

For our community members who are tobacco users or who have the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), it is strongly urged each individual to get screened as both are high risk factors for oral, head and neck cancers. The screening is painless and takes about 15 minutes. Walk-ins will be accepted. For more information, please call (740) 441-3572.

About Oral, Head and Neck Cancers 

Oral, head and neck cancer may affect any part of the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), sinuses, nasal cavity, or salivary glands. Regular check-ups can detect the early stages of oral, head and neck cancer or conditions that may lead to it. For those cancers caught at a later stage, treatment is available and may require various combinations of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.  More information regarding the symptoms and risk factors associated with oral, head and neck cancer can be found at www.headandneck.org.