Jeremy Nichols, center, has his mouth examined by a University of Mississippi Medical Center doctor during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Dr. Eswarakumar Mundra, left, gives Shayla Allison paperwork after completing her free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Jeremy Nichols, center, has his mouth examined by a University of Mississippi Medical Center doctor during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Glendora Singleton, left, has her mouth examined during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Dr. Anne Kane, right, examines Rogelio Solis’ mouth during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Dr. Trace T. Palmer, left, and medical student Alex Hammett Rose, right, checks Betty Rowan’s mouth during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Literature about vaping and smoking and how it affects health is available during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Eric Durham gets his neck examined during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
Dr. Anne Kane, right, examines Eric Durham’s mouth during a free oral, head and neck cancer screening at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
More than 90 people attended a free oral, head and neck cancer screening hosted by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center on Wednesday.
The free event was part of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week.
About 65,000 new oral, head and neck cancer diagnoses will be made this year in the United States, with nearly 14,600 deaths, according to the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. In Mississippi, 560 new cases of oral cavity and pharynx cancer have been estimated for this year, with 130 deaths. Tobacco and alcohol use are strong risk factors for these cancers.
Researchers have also correlated to rising incidence of head and neck cancer in young adults to the human papillomavirus (HPV), a potentially cancer-causing virus that can be transmitted through oral sex. Early detection of and diagnosis is vital for successful cancer treatment.