Avera Medical Minute: Head and Neck Cancer [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month.

According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancers account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the United States.

Dr. William Spanos, ENT and head and neck surgeon, explains more about this group of cancers and the risk factors you need to know.

He says HPV has driven the recent surge in head-neck cancers involving the tonsil and basal tongue area. Predominantly men receive this diagnosis, but women are not limited to it.

It can appear almost anywhere in the head-neck area except for the eyes, brain, and thyroid. Areas like the mouth or sinuses are notably hard for patients to see themselves and are difficult to detect.

“As a general rule, don’t ignore anything new,” Dr. Spanos said. “If you have a sore throat and it lasts more than two weeks, if you found …