Ask MomRN Show: Peter Tork on Head and Neck Cancer Awareness

Popular recording artist, actor and former member of The Monkees, Peter Tork, who is himself an oral cancer survivor, is urging Americans to get screened for cancer during the 15^th annual Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Week^® (OHANCAW^®), being held nationwide April 22-28.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 52,610 new cases of head and neck cancers will be diagnosed in 2012 with an estimated 11,500 of those cases resulting in death.

Mr. Tork is best known as a member of the iconic 1960s TV, recording and performing group, The Monkees, whose number one hits include “I'm A Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville.” He was diagnosed in March, 2009 with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a relatively rare cancer that typically occurs in the salivary glands, on the lower part of his tongue. Following surgery to remove the tumor and courses of radiation, Mr. Tork was declared free of any detectable cancer.

Oral, Head and Neck Cancer is:

• Cancer that arises in the head or neck region, including the nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, thyroid glands, salivary glands, throat, or larynx (voice box).
• The sixth-most-common form of cancer in the world.

For more information and free screening locations, visit Head and Neck Cancer Alliance:

http://www.headandneck.org/site/c.8hKNI0MEImI4E/b.6281225/k.BDD9/Home.htm