On April 20, staff with the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics will offer free head and neck cancer screenings.
Russell Smith, MD, head and neck oncologist with Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about the screening:
Who is at risk to develop head and neck cancer?
People of any age can have a risk of head and neck cancer and it affects both males and females. The vast majority of people we see and treat though, are usually males that are between the ages of 50 and 60.
What sorts of cancers develop as a result of risks some of us may make?
The main type of cancer that we see that affect the structures of the mouth and throat are usually a cancer called squamous cell cancer, and a lot of times these cancers are related to the use of alcohol and tobacco.
Are there cancers of the head and neck that are hereditary?
Some cancers are hereditary. We treat some patients with thyroid cancers and there are some families that have a hereditary defect that can lead to the development of a thyroid cancer.
What are some of the symptoms people might experience with head and neck cancer?
Some people may actually not notice their tumor and it's only detected when they go in to see their doctor for their annual physical and they feel their neck or they look inside their mouth and they say, "Hey, did you know that there's a lump here?"
Other people, though, may have symptoms related to the tumors and sometimes these symptoms are very similar to common illnesses that we experience almost every year of our life. It may be similar to a sore throat, a sinus infection, an ear infection, and so that sometimes makes people ignore the fact that these symptoms may be related to something more serious.
Who will be staffing this free screening clinic?
There are going to be multiple members of our Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery staff, along with members of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department.
What will be done as part of this free screening process? What will staff be looking for?
When someone comes into the screening, they will be asked to fill out a short questionnaire that asks questions about symptoms that could concern head and neck cancer. There will be an exam that will evaluate the mouth, throat, and neck and make sure that there are no signs of lesions that would be a concern for tumor.
Tell us a little about the screening next week? When? Where? Time?
The screening will be Friday, April 20, in the Otolaryngology conference room on the second floor of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion (21271 PFP) at University of Iowa Hospitals, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Do people who want to be screened need to register or make an appointment?
Who do they call for an appointment?
You don't have to have an appointment, but if possible, it would be great if you could call 319-356-4351, to get an idea of what time would be a good time to arrive so that we have things flow smoothly. |
