Below, Thomas Dobleman, MD, FACS ,  Medical Director of the Alegent Health Head and Neck Cancer Center addresses frequently asked questions about head and neck cancer.

Find out more about Dr. Dobleman

How common is cancer of the Head and Neck?
Head and Neck Cancers include cancers of the lip, oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), sinuses, salivary glands, thyroid gland and the skin. Excluding skin cancer, it is estimated that about 60,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck this year making up about 5% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. However, cancers of the head and neck make up about 50% of the cancers diagnosed in Asian countries.

What are the causes and risk factors of Head and Neck Cancer?
The risk factors for head and neck cancer include: use of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or snuff), drinking alcoholic beverages, exposure to sunlight, exposure to radiation, leukoplakia (white spots or patches in the mouth) and erythroplasia (red patches in the mouth), poor dental hygiene, vitamin deficiency, and viral infections.

What can be done to prevent Head and Neck Cancer?
Never start smoking and quit if you are. The same goes for smokeless tobacco. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, if you drink at all. Reduce your exposure to ultraviolet light - avoid the sun between the hours of 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest, wear protective clothing, wear a hat with a 3 inch brim and use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15.

Eat a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society recommends choosing most foods from plant sources and eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

What are the signs and symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer?
Some signs and symptoms of Head and Neck Cancer include:

• Changes in the skin including any growth, mole, sore or skin discoloration that appears suddenly or begins to change.
• Any hoarseness or change in voice that last for more than two weeks.
• A sore in the mouth that does not heal.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Bringing up blood.
• A lump, mass or thickening in the neck or cheek.
• A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat.
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
• Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw.
• Persistent earache.
• Weight loss.

What can I do to detect Head and Neck Cancer early?
Routine screening examinations by your doctor and self-examinations are an important part of early detection.