Carmel Oral Surgery offers free oral cancer screenings April 13-15

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In honor of Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Carmel Oral Surgery, 13590B N. Meridian St., Suite 105, Carmel, will offer free oral cancer screenings April 13 to 15.

On April 13 and 14, the free oral cancer screenings will be available from 4 to 5 p.m. On April 15, they will be available from 9 a.m. until noon. The screenings are part of a joint partnership with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer.

To participate, arrive at the clinic during the designated days and times and ask for a free cancer screening.

April is widely recognized as Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness of the condition, risk factors, statistics and screenings. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal (middle throat) cancer – with 13,150 deaths attributed to it – in 2026.

“Oral cancer cases are on the rise, but the good news is that oral cancer has a survival rate of 80 to 90 percent when diagnosed early, as reported by the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation,” said Carmel Oral Surgery’s Stanley C. Jachimowicz, DDS. “That’s why screenings like this are important.”

Dr. Jachimowicz recommends most patients get screened annually by a qualified health professional and perform monthly self-examinations.

“Using a bright light and mirror, look for anything unusual in or on your mouth, throat and/or neck, such as lumps, swelling, white or red patches, or sores that won’t heal – particularly those that bleed,” Dr. Jachimowicz said. “If you find anything out of the ordinary, get it checked out as soon as possible.”

Some common symptoms to look for – as identified by the CDC – include sores or pain in the mouth or throat that will not go away; swelling or unusual bleeding; or difficulty performing daily functions like breathing, speaking, and chewing or swallowing food.

The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of people diagnosed with these cancers is 64 and that one in five cases occur in people younger than 55. Some risk factors to consider include smoking and alcohol use, genetic predisposition, nutrition, mouth/face injuries, oral hygiene, and certain medical conditions/diseases.

Dr. Jachimowicz is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the highest credential that can be obtained in the oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) specialty, according to the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In addition, he is board certified by the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology and holds certifications in advanced cardiac life support and basic life support.

Originally from Michigan, Dr. Jachimowicz earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and his DDS from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. After graduation, he practiced general dentistry for a few years and served as a clinical instructor in the Emergency Dental Clinic at Indiana University School of Dentistry, later serving as a surgical intern for the OMS department and completing an externship in the Indiana University Department of Anesthesiology at Wishard Hospital.

Dr. Jachimowicz completed his OMS residency through Indiana University Medical Center and Clarian Hospitals and went into private practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Currently, Dr. Jachimowicz leads the care team at Carmel Oral Surgery, offering a wide variety of OMS services. For more information, visit CarmelOMS.com.

The Head & Neck Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of oral, head and neck cancer. The foundation strives to produce measurable, progressive change through education, awareness, research, outreach, and advocacy. For more information, visit mnofs.com/head-neck-cancer-foundation.