Guwahati: On the World Head & Neck Cancer Day on Tuesday, a survey by Dr.
B Boroah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, has revealed that more than 50% of people surveyed for a study have no previous knowledge that cancer can even occur in Head and neck.
Although the northeastern region reported the occurrence of higher head and neck cancer, health experts expressed concern over ignorance of deadly diseases.
Director of the BBCI, Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, said that tobacco consumption is the most important risk factor for the development of head and neck cancer.
“Collective cancer on the lips, mouth, and throat is referred to as cancer of the head and neck area.
The incidence of hypofternx cancer and oropharynx (throat) among male and women’s (urban), which covers the city of Guwahati, is among the highest in the world , “Kataki said.
In India, according to the national cancer registry, in men, the East Khasi District in Meghalaya has a highest number of 78.5 cases per one lakh men.
Among the women, the Papumpare district in Arunachal Pradesh was above, with 21.7 cases per one lakh women.
Camrup (urban) is in second place in the head and neck for men and women in the country with 62.4 and 19.2 cases each per one lakh population of men and women.
Other vulnerable areas for this kind of cancer in NE are Meghalaya, Nagaland, Aizawl and Cachar Regency.
The latest survey was carried out among patient caregivers with head and neck cancer in BBCI where 150 caregivers voluntarily participated in the survey.
This study shows that 55% of participants do not have previous knowledge that cancer can even occur in the head and neck area, while it can be seen that around 78% caregivers are aware that tobacco consumption can cause cancer development.
But surprisingly, 22% were not aware of the same thing.
About 62% of caregivers consumes smokeless tobacco such as Khaini, Gutkha and Nut Areca, cigarettes or bidi.
And, 80% of caregivers are willing to get out of their tobacco habits.
From them, 60% want to stop at the survey itself, whereas, 20% are willing to stop later on and time.
Dr.
Tashnin Rahman, professor and head, head and neck surgery department in BBCI, said head and neck cancer was around 25% and 8% of all cancers among India and Northeast women.
In BBCI, around 45% of all cancer patients who undergo treatment have head and neck cancer.
“The BBCI Head and Neck Surgery Department is conducting a national collaborative research project on oral cancer screening using artificial intelligence.
Advanced procedures such as flaps, skull -Base operations, and micro-laryngeal surgery are also carried out routinely by department surgeons.” Our department has trained Many head and neck surgeons who are currently in charge of various parts of the country and work in famous hospitals, “Rahman added..