April marks head and neck cancer awareness month, highlighting crucial signs

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — April is head and neck cancer awareness month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about a group of cancers that often go unnoticed until it’s too late. These cancers affect areas such as the throat, mouth, and nasal passages. Early detection can significantly improve outcomes, yet many people remain unaware of the warning signs.

Approximately 70,000 Americans will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer this year, with about 16,000 fatalities expected. Common symptoms include a chronic sore throat, hoarseness that persists for more than two weeks, frequent throat clearing, and difficulty swallowing.

Risk factors for these cancers include tobacco use, both smoking and chewing, alcohol consumption—especially when combined with smoking—acid reflux disease, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Advancements in medical technology have improved treatment options. “In the past, we had to split the jaw and open the entire mouth to be able to get to those,” said Dr. Christine Mirabal of the Jefferson Regional Medical Center. “Now centers that have robots allow the physician or the surgeon to sit over here, actually look into the console, and the robot is set up over the patient who’s over there, and the robot arms allow motions that our body just cannot do.”

This technology enables surgeons to access areas of the body that were previously unreachable without invasive procedures. “So we’re now no longer having a split jaws to get some of these tumors out, we can use the robot to get back there,” she added.

Individuals experiencing symptoms such as a non-healing sore throat, persistent hoarseness, or an unexplained neck mass should seek medical consultation. “There’s many things that can mimic these symptoms,” Dr. Mirabal cautioned. “So I don’t want anyone panicking or thinking if you have a sore throat, you suddenly have cancer, it’s just to raise awareness.”