SCARBOROUGH, Maine â€� AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Ear, Nose and Throat Care (ENT) and the Neck Cancer Alliance are holding a free head and neck cancer screening event in the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ ENT office at on Wednesday, April 9, from 5 â€� 7 pm.
Head and neck cancers account for 4 percent of cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute, and are among the top 10 cancers diagnosed in the state of Maine.
Anyone with a history of smoking or heavy alcohol use should consider receiving a screening, as should those with these symptoms of head and neck cancers:
- Persistent sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- White or red patches in the mouth or throat
- Difficulty hearing
- A sore that won’t heal in the mouth or throat
- Lumps or swelling in the neck or face
- Bleeding from the mouth or nose
This screening event is open to anyone at no charge, but appointments are required. To reserve a spot, call 207-396-8993.
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About AOAÌåÓýƽ̨
AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,â€� and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ hospitals include AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Franklin Hospital in Farmington, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Stephens Hospital in Norway and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Waldo Hospital in Belfast. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ also includes the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Behavioral Health in Westbrook, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Institute for Research in Scarborough, the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Medical Group and AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ NorDx in Scarborough. AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.