Free community health and cancer screening set for April 18

UC Davis Health is co-hosting the inaugural Oak Park Wellness Celebration. The family-friendly community event will feature free wellness exams and health resources on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The celebration is being held to mark Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month and will focus on free head, neck and oral cancer screenings, among other wellness exams.

UC Davis Health’s Department of Otolaryngology is partnering with the University of the Pacific (UOP)’s Pacific Health Care Collaborative, which is part of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. The screenings will be at the UOP Oak Park campus at 3333 3^rd Ave., at the corner of 34^th Street and 3^rd Avenue, Sacramento.

Head and neck cancers are on the rise

More than 72,680 Americans this year will be diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which makes up about 4% of all cancers in the United States, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.

Head and neck cancers are types of tumors that develop in or around the throat, nose, sinuses, mouth or larynx (voice box). It is more common in men than women.

“This is a devastating disease but knowing the signs and symptoms to report can lead to earlier diagnosis, better outcomes and overall survival,” said Beverly Garber, organizer of the free screening days and a UC Davis Health otolaryngology nurse practitioner. “Knowing how to detect and prevent this cancer is critically important. We hope to raise awareness by holding this free screening.”

Risk factors for head and neck cancer include:

• Alcohol use
• Tobacco use
• Human papillomavirus(HPV) infection
• Poor oral health
• Environmental and genetic factors

Symptoms of head and neck cancer can include:

• Persistent lump in neck
• Persistent sore throat or mouth sores
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness or voice changes

Everyone is invited!

Insured and uninsured people can participate in the free Oak Park Wellness Celebration. Walk-ins are welcome and there is no need to register for this event.

Participants will receive dental and oral health screenings, and a clothed physical exam of the head, face, ears, mouth and neck. UC Davis medical students, under the supervision of medical staff, will perform the exams and ask participants questions about risk factors, symptoms and medical history.

“We are excited about working with the University of the Pacific dental school on this important collaboration,” Garber said. “Dentists and dental hygienists have become critical at spotting suspicious lesions in the mouth and referring their patients to UC Davis Otolaryngology and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center oncologists for follow up.”

Free flu, HPV and COVID vaccinations will be available to eligible attendees, thanks to the Sacramento County Public Health Immunization Assistance Program.

Other wellness offerings include:

• Hearing screening and education
• Blood pressure checks
• Nutrition education
• Blood glucose testing and diabetes education
• HIV test kits
• Community resources and support

There will be many activities for children, including face painting and balloons, an artwork station and a library.

Free resources for the community

Dental care kits will be given to participants at the screening event. Health educators from the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement will host information tables and share information about cancer prevention. Sacramento County Public Health educators will provide oral health information, tobacco cessation education, sexual health education and resources as well as information on how to receive the HPV vaccine. The CDC estimates 70% of all cancers of the throat (including tongue and tonsils) are due to HPV.

Rising awareness with the Sacramento Republic

The Wellness Celebration isn’t the only outreach event for UC Davis Health during the awareness month.

The Department of Otolaryngology will be at the Sacramento Republic FC game on April 4 to promote head and neck cancer awareness. Sacramento Republic fans can visit the information booth and receive free resources.

 To learn more about head and neck cancer and UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center visit this information page. UC Davis Health patients can schedule an appointment by calling 916-734-5959.