MARSHALL MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS FREE CANCER SCREENING

Marshall in partnership with Cold Springs Dental will be hosting a free screening event for head and neck cancer on October 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

If you smoke, drink alcohol or are sexually active, you may be at risk for cancer. A free, 10-minute screening could save your life.

This year, there will be 65,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths from oral, head and neck cancer or cancers that arise in the oral cavity (mouth), larynx (voicebox), pharynx (throat), sinuses, nasal cavity or salivary glands.

Alcohol and tobacco use (including smokeless tobacco) are the two most important risk factors for head and neck cancers, especially for cancers of the oral cavity and throat. Alcohol and tobacco use accounts for at least 75 percent of these cancers and the risk increases for those who use both. Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) contracted through sexual contact is also a risk factor for some types of head and neck cancers. Other risk factors include:

• Consumption of certain preserved or salted foods during childhood
• Poor oral hygiene and missing teeth
• Occupational exposure to wood dust, asbestos and synthetic fibers
• Radiation exposure
• Epstein-Barr virus infection
• Asian, particularly Chinese, ancestry

Symptoms of head and neck cancers may include a lump or a sore that won’t heal, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a change or hoarseness in the voice. Since these are symptoms that are also associated with other conditions, a specific head and neck cancer screening is very important.

Come to Cold Springs Dental on October 16 anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at 2900 Cold Springs Road in Placerville for your free screening.

Marshall is an independent, nonprofit community healthcare provider located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills. Marshall includes Marshall Hospital, a fully accredited acute care facility with 125 beds in Placerville; several outpatient facilities in Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and Georgetown; and many community health and education programs. Marshall has over 200 licensed practitioners and over 1,600 employees providing quality healthcare services to over 180,000 residents of El Dorado County.