UC Davis Health co-hosted the inaugural Oak Park Wellness Celebration this spring. The family-friendly community event on April 18 featured free head and neck cancer screenings and other wellness exams.
The celebration marked Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month. UC Davis Health’s Department of Otolaryngology partnered with University of the Pacific’s Pacific Health Care Collaborative to organize the event.
Head and neck cancers are on the rise
More than 72,680 Americans this year will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which makes up about 4% of all cancers in the United States, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.
Head and neck cancers are types of tumors that develop in or around the throat, nose, sinuses, mouth or larynx (voice box). These cancers are more common in men than women.
“This is a devastating disease, but knowing the signs and symptoms to report can lead to earlier diagnosis, better outcomes and overall survival,” said Beverly Garber, organizer of the free screening day and a UC Davis Health otolaryngology nurse practitioner. “Knowing how to detect and prevent this cancer is critically important. We hope to raise awareness by holding this free screening day.”
Risk factors for head and neck cancer include:
- Alcohol use.
- Tobacco use.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- Poor oral health.
- Environmental and genetic factors.
Symptoms of head and neck cancer can include:
- Persistent lump in neck.
- Persistent sore throat or mouth sores.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Hoarseness or voice changes.
Participants received dental and oral health screenings and a clothed physical exam of the head, face, ears, mouth and neck. UC Davis medical students, under the supervision of medical staff, performed the exams and asked participants questions about risk factors, symptoms and medical history. UOP dental students also gave free exams.
“We are excited about working with the University of the Pacific dental school on this important collaboration,” Garber said. “Dentists and dental hygienists have become critical at spotting suspicious lesions in the mouth and referring their patients to UC Davis Otolaryngology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center oncologists for follow-up.”
Free flu, HPV and COVID vaccinations were made available to eligible attendees, thanks to the Sacramento County Public Health Immunization Assistance Program.
Free resources for the community
Dental care kits were given to participants at the screening event. Health educators from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement hosted information tables and shared information about cancer prevention. Sacramento County Public Health educators provided education and resources on oral health, tobacco cessation and sexual health as well as information on how to receive the HPV vaccine. The CDC estimates 70% of all cancers of the throat (including tongue and tonsils) are due to HPV.
To learn more about head and neck cancer and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit this information page. UC Davis Health patients can schedule an appointment by calling 916-734-5959.
