April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to cancers that play a vital role in speaking, breathing, swallowing and even tasting, making early detection and treatment crucial. Together with Coastal Carolina Otolaryngology and Myrtle Beach Dental Associates, Coastal Cancer Center is hosting a free community event to raise awareness about head and neck cancer and provide free screenings. Join us and prioritize your health!

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Event

Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9am-12pm

Coastal Carolina Otolaryngology & Audiology

3822 Mayfair Street Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

We invite the Myrtle Beach area communities to join us at our Head and Neck Cancer Awareness event. Please join us for some educational material, a free screening, and to talk with experts in radiology oncology, medical oncology and head and neck cancers. Taking the step to educate yourself and be screened could save your life.

What Is Head and Neck Cancer?

Many head and neck cancers begin in the squamous cells, which line the mucosal surfaces along the tissue of your head and neck, areas like the throat, the oral cavity, nasal cavity and lips. Skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma that are found on the head and neck fall into the category of head and neck cancer. Though less common, head and neck cancers can also occur in the head and neck region’s salivary glands, muscles, sinuses and nerves.

Risk Factors

While some risk factors are naturally occurring or unavoidable, many are related to lifestyle choices and environmental factors. Some risk factors include but are not limited to:

Tobacco use

Alcohol use

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Immunodeficiency

Poor oral hygiene

Poor nutrition

Exposure to environmental carcinogens (e.g., asbestos or wood dust)

Previous head and neck cancers

How to Prevent It

Incorporating a healthy diet, regular oral hygiene and avoiding exposure to risk factors like tobacco, alcohol and environmental carcinogens can reduce but not eliminate the risk of head and neck cancer. Regular dental exams and an annual examination of your head, neck and oropharynx by your primary care provider can help identify the possibility of cancer in these areas. These cancers are often easier to treat when caught early and before they spread.