Gordon Hospital to offer free Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Screening

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2018. Gordon Hospital will offer free oral, head, and neck cancer screenings on Wednesday, April 18 from 4:30 to 6 pm at Gordon Ear, Nose and Throat, located at 110 Hospital Drive in Calhoun, to give people the opportunity to be checked for these types of cancers by health professionals.

Oral, head, and neck cancers are very common in our area, said Lanell Jacobs, director of oncology services at Gordon Hospital. This exam is quick and only last a few minutes.

Gordon Ear, Nose and Throat urges people who have a history of these symptoms to be screened:

Family or personal history of smoking

Sore throat that persists for more than six weeks

Hoarseness lasting longer than three weeks

Any mouth sore or swelling lasting longer than a week

Lump in the neck lasting longer than a week

Presence of blood in saliva or sputum

Persistent ear pain

Oral cavity cancers can occur in the lips, cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of the tongue, floor of the mouth, and hard palate. Oropharynx cancers can occur in the base of the tongue, soft palate, tonsils, and the side and back wall of the throat. The average age of those diagnosed with these cancers is 62, but they can occur in younger people. Tobacco and alcohol are among the biggest risk factors for oral, head, and neck cancers. Others include a poor diet, pre-cancerous growths, and exposure to ultraviolet light.

Limited space is available, so please call Call706-879-5850 to register for this free screening.

About Gordon Hospital

Founded in 1935, Gordon Hospital is proud to be a member of Adventist Health System. With 45 hospital campuses and more than 8,300 licensed beds in nine states, Adventist Health System is a faith-based healthcare organization headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida. A national leader in quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, Adventist Health Systems more than 80,000 employees maintain a tradition of whole-person health by caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of every patient. Each Adventist Health System facility operates independently in delivering care and services to best meet the needs of the local communities they serve. While each entity is unique, all remain united in one mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ.