Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week

April 27 - May 3, 2009

Oral, Head, & Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW), sponsored by the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (formerly The Yul Brynner Foundation), is an annual week long health observance in April designed to educate the public about these potentially life-threatening but eminently treatable cancers, and promote prevention, screening and early detection.

What is Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer?

Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer is a broad term that includes malignant tumors occurring in the mouth or oral cavity, which includes lips, tongue, gums, lining inside the lips and cheeks, and the floor or roof of the mouth; the oropharynx, which includes the back one-third of the tongue, the back of the throat, and the tonsils; the nasopharynx, the area behind the nose; the hypopharynx, lower part of the throat; and the voice box.

Head and neck cancer is often easily treatable if detected early, but often it is not. Treatment can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Common Signs and Symptoms:

A lump in the neck - cancers of the head and neck usually spread to the lymph nodes in the neck. A lump that last more
than two weeks should be seen by an ENT as soon as possible.
Change in the voice - most cancers in the larynx cause some changes in the voice. Any hoarsness or vocal changes lasting for more than two weeks should be evaluated.
A growth in the mouth - Most cancers of the mouth and tongue cause a sore or swelling that doesn't go away.
Swallowing problems - Cancer of the throat or esophagus may make swalloing solid foods and even liquids difficult.
Changes in skin coloration and texture - The most common head and neck cancer is skin cancer.
Persistent earache - Constant pain in or around the ear when you swallow can be a sign of infection or tumor growth in the throat.

It is important to note that the symptoms described here can occur with no cancer present, but having a thorough examination by an ENT physician can rule out any issues.

Fact Sheets

Head and Neck Cancer

Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer

Dangers of Smokeless Tobacco (Spit Tobacco)