Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer

Event Day on September 22 / On-site Screening and Counseling on Personal Cancer Risk in the Head and Neck Area / Registration Now Open

Across Europe, the number of head and neck cancers is steadily increasing. If these tumors are detected early, the chances of recovery are good: When diagnosed at an early stage, 80 to 90 percent of those affected survive. With the “Make Sense” campaign, the European Society for Head and Neck Tumors aims to raise awareness of these diseases during the week of September 21–26, 2026. As part of this campaign, the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg is therefore hosting an awareness day on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

“Many patients come to us when the tumor is already advanced. Yet head and neck tumors can often be treated effectively and with minimal invasiveness in the early stages. With our awareness day, we aim to lower the barrier to having suspicious symptoms checked early,” says Prof. Dr. Andreas Knopf, Medical Director of the Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at the Medical Center – University of Freiburg.

On the awareness day, physicians from the Medical Center – University of Freiburg will offer free screenings along with information about an individual’s risk of head and neck cancer. The examination takes about 15 minutes and will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the ENT Outpatient Clinic, Killianstraße 5 in Freiburg. Registration is required and can be done immediately by emailing hno.tumor@uniklinik-freiburg.de.

Here are the warning signs to watch for

The most important risk factors for head and neck tumors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat, non-healing sores in the mouth, a stuffy nose on one side, or a palpable lump in the neck may be signs of the disease. The rule of thumb is: If you notice any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, you should seek medical advice.