ANN ARBOR — Can you live without your voice? What about your jaw? Would you miss it if you couldn’t swallow food?

Throat cancer can take all of those things away, along with your ability to eat, talk and breathe normally. These debilitating problems can be prevented, but you have to catch cancer early.

The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and the UM-Department of Otalaryngology are offering free throat cancer screenings and smoking cessation counseling by appointment on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Taubman Center, in Ann Arbor. Symptoms of throat cancer include a sore throat or hoarseness that won’t go away as well as difficulty swallowing. Smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking alcohol are all risk factors for throat cancer.

Exams take less than 45 minutes. Refreshments and further information about throat cancer will be provided. Free transportation or parking is available. To schedule an appointment, call the UM Cancer AnswerLine nurses at 1.800.865.1125. For more information, visit www.mcancer.org.