OHANCAW

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in Head and Neck Cancer?

• Mouth
• Throat
• Voice Box
• Skin
• Sinuses
• Saliva glands
• Thyroid gland

Head and neck cancers represent the sixth most common form of cancer in the United States without including skin or thyroid cancers. There are more than 50,000 cases diagnosed annually and over 12,000 deaths.(American Cancer Society, 2009) Research has shown that many people do not understand where these cancers are, what causes them, and how they are diagnosed. In fact, there may be a lack of knowledge among your health care professionals including physicians and dentists about this disease.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of the Wide Variety of Head and Neck Cancers?

An early indication of cancer is often no sign or symptom.  However, once a cancer is visible to humans or grows into other tissues, it may begin to cause other visible signs or physical symptoms. Signs and symptoms may include:

 MOUTH (ORAL) CANCER

• A sore in your mouth that doesn't heal or increases in size
• Persistent pain in your mouth
• White or red patches inside your mouth or on the tongue
• Thickening of your cheek
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue
• Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw
• Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
• Pain around your teeth, or loosening of your teeth
• Numbness of your tongue or elsewhere in your mouth
• A lump in your neck
• Loose dentures or change in fitting of dentures
• Bad breath

THROAT (PHARYNX) CANCER

• A sore in your mouth that doesn't heal or increases in size
• Sore throat, swallowing pain or earache
• Bleeding from mouth or throat
• Persistent pain in your mouth
• Lumps or white or red areas on your palate or tonsil
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue
• Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw
• Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
• Pain around your teeth, or loosening of your teeth
• Numbness of your tongue or elsewhere in your mouth
• A lump in your neck
• Bad breath

VOICE BOX (LARYNX) CANCER:

• Changes in your voice
• Sore throat, swallowing pain or earache
• Bleeding from mouth or throat
• Persistent pain in your mouth
• Lumps or white or red areas on your palate or tonsil
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing or moving your tongue
• Difficulty moving your jaw, or swelling or pain in your jaw
• Soreness in your throat or feeling that something is caught in your throat
• A lump in your neck
• Bad breath
• Trouble breathing or coughing up blood

SKIN CANCER (Melanoma, Squamous Cell, Basal Cell):

• Red, white, or brown spot on skin that grows, changes, or bleeds
• A lump or pimple that does not go away
• Numbness of the skin
• Paralysis of the face
• A scaly area or change in texture of skin that does not go away
• A lump in your neck

THYROID CANCER: 

• A growth or swelling of the neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes in your voice
• A lump in your neck

SINUS OR NOSE CANCER: 

• Swelling of the gums, cheek or eyes
• Loose dentures
• Bleeding from the nose
• Numbness of the skin
• Paralysis of the face
• A lump in your neck

Why was the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance created?

The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) was established in 2008 to create a coalition in the fight against head and neck cancer. Formerly the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, HNCA expands on existing strengths to enhance the overall effort in prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation. Our mission focuses on six key areas:

• Public awareness
• Professional engagement
• Research
• Advocacy
• Survivorship
• Resources development

What happened to the Yul Brynner Foundation?

The Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation, Inc. remains active in its local chapters and has become a subsidiary of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.

What is Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week?

A week that is organized by grass roots groups of individuals that are knowledgeable about cancers of the head and neck region. The week is organized at the discretion of these “local” directors and officers and customized to the resources and needs of their location. The week may include news releases, public service announcements, talks at middle schools, free cancer screenings, cancer survivor banquets, walk-a-thons, and research conferences.

When is OHANCAW 2009? 

April 12 - 18, 2010 or any time of your choosing! Many groups around the US and abroad organize these events during OHANCAW on a day, date, or week of their choosing. Although the broadest exposure is during OHANCAW, many people and organizations cannot schedule the event due to other conflicts. Thus, many are organized during other weeks or even months of the year

How do I sign up to host an OHANCAW event?

A sign-up page for OHANCAW 2009 can be found at www.ohancaw.com. Be the first to start an event in your hometown!

Are Screenings Painful?

The screenings typically last about five minutes, are non-invasive and painless.

Where can I get a screening?

Dentists, doctors, and other health professionals generally offer screenings for oral, head and neck cancer.  Free screenings are also offered nationwide during Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week in late April, and at various other events throughout the year.

Can a healthy diet help prevent head and neck cancer?

A nutritious, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing head and neck cancer.

Does smoking cause head and neck cancer?

Can drinking alcohol increase the risk of head and neck cancer? 

See above answer on smoking. 

Is there a link between oral sex and head and neck cancer?

Over the past decade, an increasing number of young, non-smokers have developed mouth and throat cancer associated with the human-papillomavirus, or HPV. Today, 25 percent – 10,000 cases each year – might be attributable to a strain of HPV. Physicians and researchers believe this might be due to an increase in oral sex as part of early sexual experience.