Free Head, Neck Cancer Screening at South Nassau Communities Hospital

Oceanside, NY, April 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- South Nassau Communities Hospital will hold a Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening Day Friday, April 27, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Conference Room A & B.

According to the Prevention Committee of the American Head and Neck Society, an annual screening for head and neck cancers assists in the early diagnosis and successful treatment of them.

Unfortunately, nearly 13,000 of the 55,000 Americans diagnosed with a head or neck cancer this year will die despite the fact that head and neck cancers are highly treatable and the cure rate is good when they are detected in the early stages.

Risk factors for head and neck cancers include habitual smoking or use of smokeless tobacco; frequent alcohol consumption;
or excessive exposure to the sun. Tumors most often occur in the nasal passages, sinuses, mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), swallowing passages, salivary glands, and the thyroid gland.

“Our mission is to safeguard the quality of life of the residents of the communities we serve by providing services and programs that prevent or detect debilitating or life-threatening diseases or illnesses,” said Rajiv Datta, MD, medical director of the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center and chairman of the Department of Surgery. “If you are at risk or are experiencing symptoms, I strongly encourage you to visit the hospital on April 27 for a free screening.”

For more information, call (516) 632-3350.