The Importance of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness

According to Dr. Magnuson, “There are a list of risk factors, and it begins with the sun. In Florida, we have a lot of sun exposure with damaging UV that can cause skin cancer. We see a lot of patients in Florida with sun-related skin cancer.”

Since our faces are exposed to the sun nearly every day, it’s encouraged to wear sunscreen with good UV protection.

Dr. Magnuson continues, “Other risk factors include lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking excessive alcohol. Alcohol can exaggerate the effects of tobacco, and smoking mixed with alcohol increases the risk of developing skin cancer by four times.”

Another common risk factor for developing a head and neck cancer that isn’t as widely known is having human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

“There is an epidemic of HPV in the United States, which can cause cancer in the throat and back of the tongue. Children are now vaccinated for HPV and it’s important to stay protected,” explains Dr. Magnuson.

There are also genetic issues and less common reasons a person might develop a head and neck cancer. Dr. Magnuson clarified that there isn’t always a clear reason why some people develop cancer while others don’t. The key is to practice a healthy lifestyle, know your risk factors and get any unusual spots or symptoms checked.

Dr. Magnuson responds, “It depends on the primary cancer for each patient. If you’re talking skin cancer, the symptom would likely be an ulcer or lesion that doesn’t heal. If the cancer affects your mouth or throat, you might develop an ulcer. Sometimes I see patients who think they’ve bit their tongue, but it turns out to be a cancerous ulcer. Other patients have no symptoms, but notice a lump in their neck that turns out to be a swollen lymph node.”

“Bleeding is a concern, whether bleeding from the skin or mouth. Coughing up blood is not normal. Difficulty swallowing can be caused by cancer in the throat. A change in your voice, such as a raspiness that doesn’t fade, is also concerning.”

They’re diagnosed by a physician who sees the patient for their complaint, and if the physician has experience with head and neck cancer, they will notice abnormalities and refer the patient for a biopsy. The diagnosis is ultimately made with a biopsy.

Dr. Magnuson says, “There’s a whole spectrum of the recovery process that will be different depending on each patient’s illness and circumstances. Some recoveries can be very simple. For example, you can be healed within a day or two from a small basal cell cancer where you just get it removed. But, if there is cancer underneath the tongue as another example, some patients will have a tracheotomy and a breathing tube and recovery will take months.”

Dr. Magnuson adds, “From the most easy to the most difficult recoveries, we’re treating a part of the body that communicates and eats. Taking away a person’s ability to eat or communicate is significant. Rehabilitating them back to eating and communicating on their own can take a long time and a whole team at your side.”

Dr. Magnuson emphasizes the need for community as a patient goes through and recovers from head and neck cancer. He shares, “I think it’s very important that the patient is surrounded by a team that represents their whole family. Many advanced situations need significant support. Some people can’t go home alone — they need long-term help.”

“They also need a team of therapists, such as a physical therapist, a speech-language pathologist and a cancer dietician. Patients that can’t eat on their own still need nutrition, and these specialists can help patients relearn how to eat while the dietician ensures they are properly nourished throughout the process.”

“They need a team of surgeons, radiation doctors and oncologists. It’s very important to see an expert in head and neck cancer treatment. Our cancer site includes a whole group of experts to care for one person. It’s important they’re not alone throughout the recovery.

Dr. Magnuson concludes, “I tell all my patients when I explain what we’re going to do, “Don’t worry. We can get you through this. We understand you’ve never done this before, but our whole team is going to get you through this journey.”