Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Offers Free Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Screenings

HOUSTON (April 08, 2015)

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center invites you to participate in free cancer screenings on Friday, April 17 in support of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. The screenings will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, located at 6400 Fannin, on the 27th floor.

Oral, head and neck cancers claim approximately 13,000 lives per year. However, if diagnosed early, treatment options can be less invasive and the chance of survival increases drastically. It’s recommended that every adult be tested – especially alcohol and tobacco users as they are considered to be at the greatest risk. However, oral cancer cases in young adult non-smokers are on the rise due to an increase in the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus.

It’s extremely important to be aware of visible warning signs associated with oral, head and neck cancers as some of them may require immediate attention, including:

  • A sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal or increases in size
  • Persistent pain in your mouth
  • Lumps or white or red patches in your mouth
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue
  • Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
  • Changes in your voice
  • A lump in your neck

The screenings are offered jointly by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School’s Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. No appointment is necessary for this event. For more information, please call 713.222.CARE (2273)