Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness

In 2019, it is estimated that there will be more than 550,000 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), along with more than 300 national and international screening sites, is urging individuals to get screened for oral, head and neck cancer during the 21st Annual Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW), being held April 7-14. UMMC's Ear, Nose and Throat will offer free oral, head and neck cancer screenings during OHANCAW, which is sponsored by HNCA.

• Free cancer screenings will beoffered from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 10, at Flowood Family YMCA. 
• For more information, call (601) 984-6885 

Community members are urged to participate in this 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 a higher risk of contracting human papillomavirus (HPV) due to having multiple oral sex partners, we strongly urge each individual to get screened as both are high risk factors for oral, head and neck cancers.

About oral, head and neck cancers

Oral, head and neck cancer may affect any part of the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), larynx (voicebox), 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.

OHANCA and Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week

In 2015, the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance expanded its Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness (OHANCA) program to be a year-long campaign to educate the public about oral, head and neck cancer. As part of this program, Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week is the pinnacle week dedicated to promoting education, prevention, screening and early detection of mouth and throat cancers. It is highlighted by free screenings and awareness events held at participating medical centers across the country. The 21st annual Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week will be April 7-14, 2019. For more information, visit www.headandneck.org.

About the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance

The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance is the premiere non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and improving the patient’s quality of life via an organized and strategic alliance of all stakeholders. The united and collaborative approach focuses on prevention; early detections; advocacy, patient and clinician resources; advocacy and research. For more information on the organization or to get involved, visit www.headandneck.org.