While the Royals take on the Red Sox on Friday, Sept. 12, The University of Kansas Cancer Center will take on head and neck cancers.
Head and Neck Cancer Education will take place at Gate D, where experts will answer fan questions, and there will be lip balm giveaways at gates D and B. The game is at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
The first pitch will be thrown by cancer survivor Teresa Walsh to Dr. Terry Tsue, physician-in-chief of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Another survivor, James “Hooty” Wade will sit in the Buck O’Neill Legacy Seat for his role in educating others about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.
Dr. Tsue said head and neck cancer numbers are growing. One reason is in the growth of throat cancer from the human papillomavirus (HPV), a cancer that is preventable for both men and women if a vaccine is administered before a teen is sexually active.
Dr. Tsue said in addition to HPV-caused cancers, other fast growing cancers are head and neck skin cancers and thyroid cancers.
Dr. Tsue said head and neck skin cancer often grows because we neglect to use sunscreen on our face, lips and the back of our necks. Environmental changes could also be a contributing cause, he said.
Thyroid cancers are often dangerous because there are not always clear symptoms as the cancer grows.
Dr. Tsue also warned of the dangers of smokeless tobacco, which has been linked to the cancer deaths of many baseball players, including Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.
To see a KU Hospital video on the topic, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1pWt4pZtig
– Story from KU Hospital