More young people becoming victims of head & neck cancer: Experts

Amritsar, July 27

A two-day continuous medical education (CME) session to mark the World Head and Neck Cancer Day being organised at Sri Guru Ram Das (SGRD) University of Health Sciences concluded here on Wednesday. The event emphasised the need to sensitise public about the harmful effects of tobacco, the single largest reason behind cancer.

Speaking during a session, Dr GK Rath, Head, National Cancer Institute, threw light on oral cancer scenario in India and highlighted that how tobacco was causing havoc. He said, “The country has a high disease burden of head neck cancers. Oral cancer which is the most common cancer in males and the fourth most common cancer in females in our country is a type of head neck cancer.” He added that head and neck cancer could be cured if detected early and treated adequately in a timely manner.

Dr Mani A Kuriakose, an internationally acclaimed surgeon, said, “Head and neck cancer in India poses significant health and economic burden as it is increasingly affecting our youth. More young people are becoming victims of this deadly disease thus affecting the most productive years of their lives.”

Dr AP Singh, Dean, SGRD University, said, “The SGRD is a leading institute of cancer treatment in the region. Cancer even if treated successfully can still have a major effect on a patient’s quality of life.”

Dr Daljit Singh, VC, SGRD University, Dr Manjit Singh Uppal, Director Principal, Dr AS Sood, Prof and Head, Department of ENT, Amandeep Singh, Deputy Registrar, and others were also present.