Contact:
Susan Lampert Smith
(608) 890-5643
ssmith5@uwhealth.org
Madison, Wis. — Have a pain in the neck or a lump in the throat? Get it checked out at a free oral cancer screening at University Hospital.
UW Health physicians will be offering free screenings as part of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness week. Dr. Aaron Wieland, an otolaryngologist who is one of the screeners, says that fortunately most people have a normal exam.
“Some of the individuals who present for our screening are my current patients, who just like an extra check to make sure everything looks okay,’’ says Wieland, an assistant professor of surgery.
Those who need a more in-depth exam will receive assistance in making appointments either with the UW Health clinics or with their home providers.
The free screening takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 12 in the ENT (otolaryngology) clinic, which is located in the atrium of University Hospital, 600 Highland Ave. Patients should park in the hospital ramp and their parking stub will be validated for free parking.
Risk factors for these cancers include a history of significant alcohol and tobacco use, exposure to the HPV, long-term acid reflux and a history of chronic oral ulcers.
Some potential signs of head and neck cancer include: a lump in the neck that persists beyond three weeks, pain in the neck or throat, a sore in the mouth or lip, pain in the ear, unusual bleeding, difficulty or pain with swallowing, new trouble or a change in jaw opening and hoarseness or a change in voice.
There is no need to register ahead of time, but for questions, call Heather Geye at 608-265-6260. The event is hosted by the departments of Human Oncology & Surgery-Otolaryngology.
