Fighting Head and Neck Cancer: Free Screening Events to Raise Awareness and Detect Early Cases

Head and neck cancer is a serious health concern that affects about 58,000 people in the U.S. each year. Most cases of head and neck cancer occur in the mouth, specifically on the tongue, gums, tonsils, and upper throat. Early detection is crucial for a positive outcome, but unfortunately, more than three-quarters of cases are diagnosed at a later stage when treatment is more difficult.

To raise awareness and provide access to screenings, the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation has organized free screening events throughout the month of April. These events aim to promote early detection, raise awareness, and make screenings accessible to everyone.

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, free screenings will be available at Dakota Valley OMS in Owatonna from 2-4 p.m. and in Lakeville from 3-5 p.m. On Friday, April 19, 2024, screenings will take place at Alpine Dental in Crystal from 9 a.m. to noon, MN Oral & Facial Surgery in Minneapolis from 1-3 p.m., Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates in Bemidji from 1-3 p.m., and MN Oral & Facial Surgery in Sartell from 1-3 p.m.

KSTP Medical Expert Dr. Archelle Georgiou discussed the importance of early detection of head and neck cancer in a segment with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. For more information on head and neck cancer and related health topics, visit the Cancer