News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Poyant
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health System
Office: 508-961-5280
Cell: 774-634-1460
Fax: 508-961-5876
Pager: 508-387-2532
poyants@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Free Head and Neck Cancer Screenings on April 25
The Southcoast Health Van, Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care Oncologists and
Northeast Ear Nose & Throat Surgeons team up with the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance
for Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Health Van, Southcoast Centers for Cancer
Care oncologists, and Northeast Ear Nose & Throat Surgeons team up to offer free head and neck
cancer screenings on the Southcoast Health Van on Wednesday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
at CVS/Pharmacy, 1145 Kempton St. in New Bedford. Reservations are required for the
screening. To register, call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.
“Oral cancer is a major health problem in this country and one that most people are not
aware of,” said Wendy Stern, MD, a surgeon at St. Luke’s and Tobey Hospitals and a member of
Northeast Ear Nose & Throat in North Dartmouth.
“It is vital that people — especially those who smoke — learn to recognize the signs and
symptoms of this cancer. This screening offers a great opportunity for education and the chance
for early detection.”
Dr. Stern noted that tobacco — including smokeless tobacco — and alcohol use are risk
factors for head and neck cancers.
According to the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance, 85 percent of these cancers are linked to
tobacco use. Smoking cigarettes in the major cause of most head and neck cancers, while
chewing tobacco has been shown to cause mouth cancer. Head and neck cancers are more
common in men and in people over the age of 40. It is estimated that some 50,000 men and
women in the United States are diagnosed with head and neck cancers annually. Caucasians
currently have the highest incidence rates of head and neck cancer, although death is still highest
among African Americans.
Some of the symptoms that are common in head and neck cancer include a lump or sore
that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, difficulty swallowing and a change or
hoarseness in the voice.
“As physicians, we need to educate the public about head and neck cancer and encourage
people to get regular checkups and to eliminate high-risk habits like smoking,” Dr. Stern
emphasized.
The screening is sponsored in part by the Head & Neck Cancer Alliance in honor of Head
& Neck Cancer Awareness week. To learn more about head and neck cancer visit
http://www.headandneck.org/.
About Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care located in Fall River and Fairhaven feature the latest
technology in radiation therapy and medical oncology. Highlights of the state of the art facilities
include the very latest technology in radiation therapy and medical oncology, advanced
diagnostic imaging, fully electronic health records, and spacious semi-private infusion bays.
Radiation Oncology services include intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT),
stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).
The Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care offer patients a seamless continuum of
care throughout Southcoast Health System — a program that supports not only patients’ medical
needs, but also their emotional and social needs. The care delivered at the centers is
complimented by an outstanding cancer team, which includes dedicated medical and radiation
oncologists, oncology nurse practitioners and chemotherapy certified nurses, patient navigators,
social workers and nutritionists.
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care has formed an exclusive regional affiliation with
MDAnderson Physicians Network®. MD Anderson Physicians Network is a subsidiary of The
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the world’s most respected leaders in
cancer care and ranked No. 1 in the nation, by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Cancer
Hospitals” survey. Combining the region’s top cancer provider with the expertise of the nation’s
leader in cancer care, Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care offers new hope and state-of-the-art
care for cancer patients in the South Coast region.
For more information on Southcoast’s cancer services visit
www.southcoast.org/cancercare/.
About Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple
access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern
Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up
Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in
New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty
and heart rhythm services, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery,
orthopedic surgery, advanced imaging services and is the only provider of maternity services in
the region. Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the support of
the community to provide services. More information is available online at
www.southcoast.org. Connect to Southcoast through social media
at www.southcoast.org/connect/.
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