Head and neck cancer cases are rising among Indians at a rapid rate. A recent study conducted by Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, a Delhi-based not-for-profit organisation highlighted that 26 per cent of Cancer patients in India have head and neck cancer. The study was conducted on 1869 cancer patients across India.

It also highlighted that head and neck cancer was closely followed by gastrointestinal (GI) cancers which was 16 per cent. Breast cancer was 15 per cent and blood cancer was 9 per cent. These data are in line with recent GLOBOCAN national India data.

India is expected to have 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, a big jump from the numbers in 2020, as per a recent GLOBOCAN report. India has the highest number of oral cavity cancer patients in the world and one of the main reasons behind this is tobacco use and Hpv.

Under Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign a free-of-cost National Cancer Helpline Number 93-555-20202 was launched recently which is operational from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. Cancer patients can avail of this facility to get in touch with leading Oncologists directly to discuss the cancer treatment.

Dr Ashish Gupta, Principal Investigator and Senior Oncologist who is heading the Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign in India said “India is seeing a surge in head and neck cancer cases, especially among young men, due to increased tobacco consumption and Hpv. Around 80-90 per cent of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in some form, be it smoking or chewing. Most head and neck cancers 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”.

In India, nearly 2/3rds of cancers are detected late, likely due to low adoption of proper screening. He further added “If found early in stages one or two, most head and neck cancers are curable in more than 80 per cent 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. ”

Cancer experts suggest that India should implement effective cancer policies to bring down the cancer burden and should work on reducing the cost of treatment in the country. These changes will play a pivotal role in making India cancer-free. Adoption of newer and latest therapies like targeted therapy and immunotherapy will also increase the cure rate in India.

Head Cancer Symptoms:

1. Persistent Headaches

Chronic and severe headaches that do not respond to usual treatments can be an early sign of head cancer, such as brain tumors.

2. Seizures

New onset of seizures or convulsions can indicate abnormal brain activity caused by a tumor.

3. Nausea and Vomiting

Unexplained nausea and vomiting, especially if persistent, can be a symptom of increased intracranial pressure due to a tumor.

4. Vision Changes

Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision can occur if a tumor is pressing on the optic nerves or other parts of the brain involved in vision.

5. Speech Difficulties

Difficulty in speaking, slurred speech, or inability to find the right words may indicate a brain tumor affecting speech areas.

6. Memory Loss or Cognitive Decline

Sudden and progressive memory loss or cognitive impairment can be a sign of a brain tumor.

7. Personality or Behavioral Changes

Uncharacteristic changes in personality, mood swings, or behavioral changes may be related to tumors affecting the brain's frontal lobes.

1. Lump or Swelling

A persistent lump or swelling in the neck that does not go away can be an early sign of neck cancer.

2. Persistent Pain

Continuous pain in the neck, throat, or ear that doesn’t resolve with medication may indicate cancer.

3. Difficulty Swallowing

Pain or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can be a symptom of cancer in the neck or throat area.

4. Hoarseness or Voice Changes

Changes in the voice, such as persistent hoarseness, can suggest cancer in the vocal cords or nearby structures.

5. Persistent Cough

A chronic cough that doesn’t resolve, especially if it's accompanied by blood, can be a sign of neck cancer.

6. Breathing Difficulties

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can occur if a tumor is obstructing the airway.

7. Unexplained Weight Loss

Sudden and unexplained weight loss can be a general symptom of various types of cancer, including neck cancer.

8. Mouth Sores

Non-healing sores or ulcers in the mouth or throat can be a sign of cancer.