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Thursday, Nov. 21, marks the annual Great American Smokeout, a nationwide wellness campaign hosted by the American Cancer Society for more than 40 years.

The Smokeout had humble beginnings as an effort by a Massachusetts guidance counselor to get people in his community to give up smoking for a day and donate money saved to fund a college scholarship for high-school students. Since then, it has grown through various institutions and cities to become a nationally recognized movement to provide resources and information that help people quit smoking.

Even though the percentage of Americans who smoke has dropped from 42 percent in 1965 to 14 percent in 2017, that still leaves 34 million Americans who smoke cigarettes and can significantly improve their health simply by quitting this one habit.

When we think of the dangers of smoking, most of us appropriately think of lung cancer. But we forget that smoking can lead to the development of a variety of other cancers too, especially head and neck cancers.

While head and neck cancers account for a mere 3 percent of malignancies in the United States, they affect more than 65,000 Americans every year, and the statistic worth remembering is that smokers are 10 times more at risk for head and neck cancers than those who have never smoked.

Head and neck cancers originate in the:

• Larynx

• Mouth

• Nose

• Pharynx

• Salivary glands

• Sinuses

• Throat

• Thyroid

And approximately 85 percent of diagnosed head and neck cancers are linked to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco use.

Recognizing potential symptoms of head and neck cancers can be tricky, because many of the symptoms associated with these cancers can be associated with more benign conditions like sinus problem or allergies.

Symptoms can include:

• Swelling, or a sore that won’t heal

• Red or white patches in the mouth

• A persistent sore throat lasting longer than 6 weeks

• Change in voice or sounding hoarse

• Persistent nasal congestion

• Frequent nosebleeds

• Unusual nasal discharge

• Jaw pain

• Loosening of teeth

• Ear pain or frequent ear infections

• Pain or difficulty swallowing or moving the tongue or jaw

• Hearing loss

None of these symptoms are exclusive to a cancer diagnosis, but if any of these problems persist, or you feel something has changed in your health, you should visit your primary care team for an evaluation.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, especially if you’re going it alone, but as I’ve reinforced so many times in this column, it is worth it. Quitting can be easier if you ask for help.

The American Cancer Society cites research that shows people who seek support have greater success in quitting smoking. That support can come in the form of:

• Telephone quit-lines

• American Cancer Society Freshstart Program

• Nicotine Anonymous meetings

• Self-help books and materials

• Smoking counselors or coaches

• Encouragement and support from friends and family members

And it’s important to note that it’s never too late to quit. Even folks who have smoked for decades can reduce their risk of developing head and neck cancers. Reformed smokers who stay smoke-free for more than 20 years can reach a risk level equal to those who have never smoked. Finally, even those who have developed tobacco-associated cancers or other tobacco-related conditions should quit. Smoking cessation can help in the fight against further development of cancer and can improve the risk of mortality in people with chronic or life-threatening conditions.

For more information on the Great American Smokeout and quitting smoking, visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org and click on the “Stay Healthy” section and go to the “Stay Away From Smoking” section. If you happen to be a Geisinger Health Plan member, take advantage of the Health Plan’s tobacco cessation program by calling 570-214-8649 or 800-883-6355.

Dr. Alfred Casale

To Your Health

Dr. Alfred Casale, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is associate chief medical officer for Geisinger and chair of the Geisinger Heart Institute. Readers may write to him via ae@www.timesleader.com. For a free heart risk assessment, visit geisinger.org/heartrisk.