Free Screening for Head and Neck Cancers

USA (SANEPR.com) April 23, 2009 -- Nearly 13,000 of the 55,000 Americans diagnosed with a head or neck cancer this year will die despite the fact that head and neck cancers are highly treatable and the cure rate is good when they are detected in the early stages.

According to the Prevention Committee of the American Head and Neck Society, an annual screening for head and neck cancers assists in the early diagnosis and successful treatment of them. South Nassau Communities Hospital will hold a Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening Day Friday, May 1, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Conference Center A. Screenings will be conducted by Rajiv Datta, MD, Medical Director of the Cancer Center, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, and Chief of Surgical Oncology/Head & Neck Surgery, Louis Rosner, MD, Chief of Otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) and Vincent Reid, MD, Surgical Oncologist.

Risk factors for head and neck cancers include habitual smoking or use of smokeless tobacco; frequent alcohol consumption; or excessive exposure to the sun. Tumors most often occur in the nasal passages, sinuses, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), swallowing passages, salivary glands, and the thyroid gland. Their symptoms include persistent sores in the mouth; a lump or sore in the mouth that does not heal; a lump in the neck; a chronic sore throat; difficulty swallowing; and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

“Our mission is to safeguard the quality of life of the residents of the communities we serve by providing services and programs that prevent or detect debilitating or life-threatening diseases or illnesses,” said Dr. Datta. “If you are at risk or are experiencing symptoms, I strongly encourage you to visit the hospital on November 7 for a free screening.”

For more information, call South Nassau’s Oncology Program at (516) 632-3350. Information may also be obtained by sending an email to oncology@snch.org.

South Nassau Communities Hospital is one of the region’s largest hospitals with 435 beds, more than 875 physicians and 2,600 employees. Located in Oceanside, NY, the hospital is an acute–care, not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides state-of-the-art care in cardiac, oncologic, orthopedic, bariatric, pain management, mental health and emergency services. In addition to its extensive outpatient specialty centers, South Nassau is a designated Stroke Center, boasts Long Island’s first Gamma Knifeâ and provides angioplasty in an emergency or as an elective procedure. It is also recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.