EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. The American Society of Cancer, estimates that about 60,480 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer were reported in 2026.

Several years ago, El Pasoan Ana Nouel was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Nouel is in the medical field, a flight nurse, so when she found a white lesion on her tongue, she knew it shouldn’t be ignored.

“I had gone to two other doctors, because I had gotten strep throat, like back to back, I kind of showed it to them, and they kind of just like blew me off, and I did my own research, and I noticed, you know, that it’s probably going to be cancer,” Nouel said.

When she finally got to an ear, nose and throat specialist, a surgery was scheduled in September of 2022. The results of that surgery, were a devastating confirmation.

“So when I woke up, he told me that it was cancer, and he wasn’t able to cut it all out,” Nouel said.

That meant she had to undergo a neck dissection, removing lymph nodes and surrounding tissues, which meant she had to eat through a tube.

According to the American Society of Cancer, most mouth cancers happen on the tongue. Statistics for how common head and neck cancers are vary from year to year, but they are cases in El Paso.

“The likelihood that you’ve met someone or know of someone who’s been impacted by this disease is pretty significant and I find that it’s very common, especially in El Paso, that many family members or friends know of certain head and neck cancer patients,” said Dr. Hans Brockhoff, an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon with UMC Healthcare Partners.

Dr. Brockhoff helped treat Nouel. He says people should never ignore a spot or bump in the head or mouth, even if it’s not painful. While head and neck cancers have been linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, a virus also plays a role.

“In a younger patient population we also see some linkage to human papillomavirus which we call HPV. So head and neck cancer can affect both young and old people,” Dr. Brockhoff said.

Nouel says she considers herself to be healthy, she didn’t drink or smoke. The rare occurrence of here cancer also meant a grueling journey involving radiation and chemotherapy especially because the cancer spread to her lymph nodes and lungs.

“Well, originally, I didn’t want to go through radiation because, you know, it’s a game that you’re playing. Like, let me kill the cancer before it kills you. And I didn’t want to do it. And my mom and my sister and my family were like, No, you need to do it. Don’t give up,” Nouel said.

“I think some of the other challenges that go beyond just the survivability of your disease, it goes into quality of life. So for instance, cancer of the tongue affects your speech it affects your ability to eat,” said Dr. Brockhoff.

Nouel who is now in remission credits an early detection, her team of doctors and the love of her family for getting her through the most difficult times. While her recovery continues, she hopes to inspire people to never ignore warning signs.

Symptoms can also include:

A lump in the neck that you might be able to feel through the skin. Typically the lump isn’t painful.A sore in the mouth that won’t heal.Coughing up bloodHoarse voiceLoose teethPain when swallowing

“Well, I’m grateful to be here. I’m very happy. Still, it’s not easy. There’s certain things that it’s like, you know, you get frustrated with, but I’m just praying and moving forward and just learning from all of it,” Nouel said.