According to the National Cancer Institute, cancers that are known as head and neck cancers usually begin in the cells that line the mouth, throat, and voice box. These cancers are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. 

 

Abby's unusual case consisted of a rare type of head and neck cancer more common in people who are at least 55 years of age. What made it even more unusual in Abby's case was that these types of cancers are more likely to affect men rather than women, and they are typically occur more often in other areas of the world, such as Japan and South Africa. 

 

Abby's Promise strives to bring their initiatives to the forefront in an effort to increase awareness and generate more research funding for these types of cancers.  By increasing the probability of a cure through our initiatives, we can help prevent other families from suffering the same loss.