World Cancer Day was celebrated on 4th February. Just like every year – the day was about talking, educating and spreading awareness about cancer – to stand strong and stand together against cancer.
I was reminded of my son’s music teacher who was operated about 4 years ago for early stage buccal cancer – a simple man with no predisposing risk factors who was completely shaken by the diagnosis and the surgery that followed. But fortunately, he is doing good today and leading a normal life.
Cancers of the and Neck (HNC) are fairly common – comprising about 30% of cancers in India. They often cause long lasting and sometimes permanent changes that can significantly affect functionality and appearance of an individual, in turn impacting body image and self-esteem. Not everyone who is diagnosed with HNC has a known risk factor – sometimes there may be no reason why the cancer has developed – just like the case of my son’s music teacher.
Having said that – there are a number of risk factors that can increase the risk for HNC. Tobacco and alcohol are major risk factors for HNC – infact TOBACCO is the single most important risk factor for oral cancer. All tobacco products – cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco like gutkha, khaini, betel quid are linked to head and neck cancer. Don’t we all read the disclaimer below the cigarette packets – “Cigarette smoking is injurious to health” – oral cancer is certainly one of the serious health hazards that we are linked to tobacco.
So what can you do to lower your risk for HNC ?? Quit smoking today – you will not only reduce your risk for HNC but also the risk to your near and dear ones around you. DO NOT use tobacco products. Avoid or limit your alcohol intake. Talk to your doctor about HPV vaccination. Maintain good oral health. If you feel a lump or swelling in the nose, neck or throat or have a sore throat that is persistent and won’t go away or have noticed a change in your voice – you might want to consider visiting a doctor soon !
As Head and Neck radiologists, we come across oral cancers so often – almost every day. Contrast MDCT serves as a one-stop shop for gingivobuccal and retromolar cancers at most centers, providing all necessary information to the treating surgeon. Likewise – contrast MRI is the go to investigation for patients with tongue, palatal and floor of mouth cancers. It is so important to have a structured reporting format and check list – accurately report the soft tissue extent, bone erosion, perineural spread and associated metastatic adenopathy – this is exactly how we are going to make a difference in the patient’s life – impact the prognosis and treatment option available to the patient !
Dr. Varsha Joshi
ISHNR President
