Head and Neck Cancer Support Group Meets in Sartell Next Week

(KNSI) – The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is changing the look of head and neck cancer.

Dr. Deepak Kademani heads Minnesota Oral and Facial Surgery, which has its primary office in Sartell. He says the throat and mouth cancer patients he sees today vary dramatically from doctors in his field practicing 25 or 30 years ago.

“We are definitely seeing what we would describe in healthcare as an epidemic of head/neck cancer. We’re certainly seeing it much more in younger patients that do not have the traditional risk factors of smoking and alcohol use that we used to see.”

His practice will be hosting a cancer support group meeting on June 20th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at 2380 Troop Drive. Kademani says head and neck cancers are particularly tough for patients to adjust to.

“Cancer diagnosis within the head and neck affects so much of a person’s identity and their ability to socialize, their ability to speak and eat. All of the different sites of cancer that we see in the body, it’s probably the one that affects patients the most.”

Minnesota Oral and Facial Surgery handles everything from the clavicle to the brain, says Kademani. That includes cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, cancer, and even pulling wisdom teeth.

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