Free cancer screenings set

People who smoke or chew tobacco, consume alcohol regularly or have a family history of head and neck cancer are invited to a free head and neck cancer screening sponsored by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as part of National Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. The special screenings are set for 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 9, and 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the SIU otolaryngology clinic (room 5B) on the fifth floor of St. John's Pavilion, 301 N. Eighth St., Springfield.

Head and neck surgeon Dr. James Malone will join Robbins and other staff from the SIU otolaryngology head and neck surgery division to perform the screenings. They will take a brief patient history, ask about potential risk factors, and look for cancer that affects the ears, nose, mouth, throat, voice box, neck and thyroid gland.

People who use tobacco or alcohol and/or have the following warning signs are encouraged to get screened: persistent earache or sore throat, difficulty or pain with swallowing, hoarseness lasting more than two weeks, an ulcer in the mouth or throat that does not heal, or a lump in the neck or thyroid gland.

Representatives from the American Cancer Society, the St. John's Cancer Institute, the Laryngectomee Club and two area smoking cessation groups will be present to educate the participants and answer questions.