Head and Neck Cancers Surge to 26% of Cases, Says Study

A recent study underlined that cases of head and neck cancer in India are increasing and account for about 26% of all cancer cases across the country. The results of the study were released on World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which was observed on Saturday.

According to a study, approximately 26% of cancer patients in India have head and neck tumours, and the number of such cases is increasing.The study’s findings, which included 1,869 cancer patients from around the country, were revealed on World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which was held on Saturday. Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based non-profit organization, conducted the study by collecting data from calls made to its helpline number between March 1 and June 30.  

Dr. Ashish Gupta, a renowned oncologist in charge of India’s Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign, stated that rising tobacco consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are causing a surge in head and neck cancer diagnoses, particularly among young males.  

“Around 80-90 pc of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in some form, be it smoking or chewing. Most of the head and neck cancer are preventable, unlike other cancers for which the reason is unknown. It is a preventable cancer that can be prevented with lifestyle modification.

“There is a need to raise awareness to quit tobacco and early check-ups for early pickup of the disease,” Gupta said.

In India, about two-thirds of cancer cases are detected late, most likely due to a lack of effective screening, he said. Gupta went on to say that the Cancer Mukt Bharat campaign aims to lower the incidence and impact of cancer on individuals and communities by promoting education and early detection.  

“If found early in stages one or two, most head and neck cancers are curable in more than 80 pc of patients. In the field of cancer treatment, we get new medicines almost every week which can treat cancer in a better way leading to better outcomes and good quality of life.

“A combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy can be used for treating head and neck cancer. Latest cancer treatment has evolved to prioritize not just curing the disease, but also ensuring a good quality of life for survivors,” he said.

The Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign has introduced a free national helpline number (93-555-20202), which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Cancer patients can contact this number to speak with prominent doctors directly or even have a video conversation to discuss their therapy without incurring any costs.

Head and neck cancers were closely followed by gastrointestinal cancers (16%). In India, 15% of malignancies are breast cancers, whereas 9% are blood cancers.These figures are consistent with the most recent GLOBOCAN data (a database that provides global cancer statistics) for India. The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Cancer Observatory includes GLOBOCAN data.According to a recent GLOBOCAN research, India is anticipated to have 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, up significantly from the statistics in 2020.

The study emphasizes the critical need for better awareness, early identification, and preventative strategies to address the growing number of head and neck cancer cases in India. Cancer sufferers should expect better outcomes and a higher quality of life thanks to initiatives such as the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign. 

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Source – NDTV