4-28-09

Head and Neck Cancer

Approximately 35,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck area each year.  And many of these cancers are related to tobacco use.

Oral, head and neck cancer is one of the most common, yet preventable cancers.  It includes a variety of cancers in the head and neck area.  Dr. James Malone, assistant professor of otolaryngology at SIU School of Medicine and a member of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute in Springfield, says symptoms can be subtle.  But he suggests some warning signs to watch for.

SOUND BITE: “They resemble symptoms of a common cold such as a sore throat or hoarseness or swelling or lump in the neck.  The key to determining or distinguishing what is actually head and neck cancer and what is the common cold tends to be the duration of symptoms. Similarly, a lump in the neck that doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment or is present for more than two weeks would be a possible sign or symptom of head and neck cancer.”

Dr. Malone says two major risk factors for head and neck cancers are tobacco and alcohol use.  And, when used together, the two substances have a synergistic effect and can greatly increase a person’s chances of getting these cancers.  Family history and previous radiation treatments to the head and neck area are also risk factors for the disease.  He urges individuals who are at risk to be screened and he describes the screening process.

SOUND BITE: “It basically takes about two to three minutes and is an examination where a physician or extended health care provider looks in the ears, looks in the nose, mouth and throat and feels the neck and thyroid gland for abnormalities.  It is not invasive.  It is not painful and as I said it only takes a few minutes to perform.”

Several locations in Illinois offer free head and neck cancer screenings each Spring.  Check with your primary care physician to find a location near you or ask for a head and neck exam during your next office visit.  You also can check online at www.headandneckcancer.org.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.