11th Annual Free Head & Neck Cancer Screening
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Alpine Ear, Nose & Throat, P.C.
3820 N. Grant Ave., Loveland
(970) 593-1177
Since 1998, Alpine Ear, Nose & Throat has been hosting a free cancer screening every fall to help the community with early detection of often ignored or unseen problems that could lead to cancer of the throat, neck, or head.
“Early detection is really key” in successfully treating these cancers, according to Sarvjit Gill, M.D., with Alpine Ear, Nose & Throat. While family doctors and dentists can spot the most noticeable of these cancers, such as lesions and lumps, there are areas of the head and neck that cannot be seen easily and require special equipment for a thorough evaluation.
Dr. Gill recommends this screening to any in the community who have been suffering with chronic hoarseness or soar throat, difficulty swallowing, have noticed a mass on the head or neck, sores in the mouth, lesions that are not healing, is coughing or spitting blood, or has recurrent nose bleeds. All of these problems can be indicators of the presence of a malignancy, and are often the only symptom a person might have without an exam.
Every year, Alpine and their dozens of physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner volunteers see an average of 200 people from Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Greeley, Berthoud, and even a few from Wyoming. Of those, a handful, 12 to 15 on average, are referred to their family physician for follow-up, says Dr. Gill.
“Fortunately, most come for the screening and are able to have their fears put to rest,” says Dr. Gill. However, every year there are three or four who have a malignancy. One year, Dr. Gill says, a local man came in to have what he thought might be a bug bite checked. It turned out to be cancer in the throat that had actually manifested itself with a disruption to the skin on his neck.
“These are people who come in for the free screening that have problems that probably wouldn’t have been detected otherwise,” adds Dr. Gill. “Especially now, with so many that have lost jobs and the economy so hard.”
The screening includes a comprehensive head and neck exam. For individuals that need it, doctors can use special scoping devices, such as a nasopharyngoscope, that has a flexible wand to exam the nasal and throat cavities, a device family physicians don’t always have access to in their practices.
Any with concerning conditions are referred on and doctors at the screening do their best to follow up with patients, so that no one goes untreated. “We will see to it ourselves that care is provided, if that is what it takes.”
Along with the exam, doctors counsel patients to lead a healthier lifestyle; smoking and excessive alcohol consumption have been shown to increase the risk of some of these cancers.
Alpine is recommending that people call ahead and reserve a time slot for the free clinic, though walk-ins will still be welcome. The number to call is (970) 593-1177. +