Are you brushing enough? Know risks for head and neck cancer
Understanding head and neck cancer: This group of cancers affects the mouth, sinuses, throat, and neck. Persistent sore throat, voice changes, and swallowing issues are key symptoms.
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Tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol - Major culprits: 80% of head and neck cancers stem from tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol. These habits can take 8–10 years to manifest as cancer.
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Poor dental hygiene: In India, irregular brushing, lack of rinsing, and skipping dental check-ups contribute to oral cancers like cheek and tongue cancer.
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Delayed detection: Oral cancers are often diagnosed 6 months late in India, leading to advanced stages requiring complex, expensive treatments with increased toxicity.
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Know the early signs: Watch for abnormal growths, gum bleeding, persistent voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or neck lumps. Early consultation can save lives.