University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to Offer Free Head and Neck Cancer Screenings

PITTSBURGH, April 13 – The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) will host free head and neck cancer screenings from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday, April 21, at the Eye and Ear Institute, third floor, 203 Lothrop St., Oakland. The event will coincide with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 11-17) sponsored by the Yul Brenner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation.

In 2006, more than 65,000 people will be diagnosed with oral, head or neck cancers and more than 12,500 will die. Oral, head and neck cancer refer to a variety of cancers that develop in the head and neck regions, such as the oral cavity; the throat; paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity; the larynx; thyroid and salivary glands; the skin of the face and neck; and the lymph nodes in the neck.

"More than 85 percent of head and neck cancers are related to tobacco use, making this one of the most preventable diseases of our time," said Stephen Lai, MD, head and neck surgeon and assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology at UPMC. "To see so many people suffering needlessly is heartbreaking. As physicians, we need to educate the public about head and neck cancer and encourage people to get regular checkups and to eliminate high-risk habits like smoking."

The screenings are open to the public. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please call 412-647-2100.

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UPMC News Bureau