Mirror check drive to curb oral cancer
Doctors recommend a simple monthly self-check: look in the mirror, feel for abnormalities, and act quickly. This information was shared during a programme to launch a nationwide "Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection" campaign by
Medanta Hospital
and Merck Specialities Private Limited recently.
Oral cancer, part of the broader category of head and neck cancers, often goes unnoticed until advanced stages.
Director, medical and hemato oncology Dr Abhishek Kumar Singh said: "Just two minutes a month for self-examination can lead to early detection and save lives."
"India records over two lakh new head and neck cancer cases annually, with oral cancer comprising 65% of these. Alarmingly, 60-70% are diagnosed at advanced stages. Public awareness and early diagnosis are vital to reducing morbidity," said director, oncology, Medanta Hospital Dr Harshvardhan Atreya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
'25% lung cancer patients are non-smokers, women, youth'
Lucknow: Around 25 per cent of lung cancer cases in the city are now being reported among non-smokers, with a growing number seen in women and younger adults. On the eve of World Lung Cancer Day, experts from KGMU and other major hospitals linked this rise to air pollution, indoor smoke exposure, and late diagnosis. Prof Ved Parkash, head of respiratory and critical care medicine at KGMU, said that about 30% of their lung cancer patients never smoked. "This trend is especially common in women and children exposed to air pollution, smoke from biomass fuels in rural and semi-urban homes, and secondhand smoke in shared households," he explained. He cited a study published last year in Atmospheric Environment, which found that PM2.5 levels in the city regularly exceed WHO limits. The study highlighted pollution hotspots and seasonal spikes in fine particulate matter. In non-smokers, lung cancer was associated with environmental pollutants, indoor toxins, genetic predispositions, and evolving lifestyles. "Women may also be more biologically vulnerable to these factors," he noted. Dr Abhishek Kumar Singh, director of medical oncology at Medanta Hospital, stressed the danger of secondhand smoke and industrial fumes. "The secondhand smoke from tobacco products contains thousands of harmful chemicals. Paint and industrial emissions further increase risk. These exposures can lead to asthma, bronchitis, and various cancers - especially in children and pregnant women. Avoiding smoking in closed spaces and ensuring good ventilation are key preventive steps," he said. Dr Alok Gupta, senior director of medical oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, added, "Even non-smokers' lungs show black deposits due to long-term exposure to pollutants. Besides passive smoke, other risks include unventilated cooking fumes, radon gas, and asbestos." Dr Dawar Masud Rizavi, associate director, pulmonology and sleep medicine at Apollo Hospital, said, "Exposure to radon, industrial toxins, air pollution, and poorly ventilated indoor cooking can increase the risk. In some families, genetics may play a role, but many of these exposures are preventable." he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
‘25% lung cancer patients are non-smokers, women, youth'
Lucknow: Around 25% of lung cancer cases in the city are now being reported among non-smokers, with a growing number seen in women and younger adults. On the eve of World Lung Cancer Day, experts from KGMU and other major hospitals linked this rise to air pollution, indoor smoke exposure, and late diagnosis. Prof Ved Parkash, head of respiratory and critical care medicine at KGMU, said that about 30% of their lung cancer patients never smoked. "This trend is especially common in women and children exposed to air pollution, smoke from biomass fuels in rural and semi-urban homes, and secondhand smoke in shared households," he explained. He cited a study published last year in Atmospheric Environment, which found that PM2.5 levels in the city regularly exceed WHO limits. The study highlighted pollution hotspots and seasonal spikes in fine particulate matter. In non-smokers, lung cancer was associated with environmental pollutants, indoor toxins, genetic predispositions, and evolving lifestyles. "Women may also be more biologically vulnerable to these factors," he noted. Dr Abhishek Kumar Singh, director of medical oncology at Medanta Hospital, stressed the danger of secondhand smoke and industrial fumes. "The secondhand smoke from tobacco products contains thousands of harmful chemicals. Paint and industrial emissions further increase risk. These exposures can lead to asthma, bronchitis, and various cancers — especially in children and pregnant women. Avoiding smoking in closed spaces and ensuring good ventilation are key preventive steps," he said. Dr Alok Gupta, senior director of medical oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, added, "Even non-smokers' lungs show black deposits due to long-term exposure to pollutants. Besides passive smoke, other risks include unventilated cooking fumes, radon gas, and asbestos." Dr Dawar Masud Rizavi, associate director, pulmonology and sleep medicine at Apollo Hospital, said, "Exposure to radon, industrial toxins, air pollution, and poorly ventilated indoor cooking can increase the risk. In some families, genetics may play a role, but many of these exposures are preventable." he said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Time of India
Investment summit laid base for state's multi-sector growth: CM
1 2 Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Advantage Assam investment and infrastructure summit, held in Feb, laid the foundation of the state's transformation into a major multi-sector growth engine. Himanta stated that the state cabinet recently gave its approval to allot govt land for a 500-bed super-speciality hospital and a five-star hotel, which, he said, will generate over 2,700 direct employments besides boosting medical tourism and access to quality healthcare. The state cabinet last Friday approved the allotment of govt land for 336 infrastructure projects of the state govt, 45 infrastructure projects of corporations and boards, 3,247 non-individual juridical entities, and 28 central govt departments and undertakings. The CM, in a post on his X handle, wrote, "Taking forward the summit commitments, the Assam Cabinet approved land for Medanta Hospital & Lemon Tree Hotel in Guwahati. " He announced the construction of a 500-bed super-speciality Medanta Hospital and a 100-bed Women and Child Hospital in the heart of Guwahati. The initiative also includes the development of a five-star Lemon Tree Hotel, marking a strategic push to enhance both medical and leisure tourism in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The projects are expected to draw a combined investment of over Rs 800 crore and generate more than 2,700 direct jobs. He said the new facilities will significantly improve access to advanced healthcare services in the region, particularly in specialised treatment and maternal care. Meanwhile, officials believe the convergence of premium healthcare and hospitality will position Guwahati as a regional hub for both domestic and international patients, while also catering to the growing demand for quality urban infrastructure in the state. The projects come as part of the state govt's larger vision to transform Assam into an investment-friendly destination with modern amenities, employment opportunities, and improved public services. Earlier, CM Sarma said the industrial landscape of Assam is set for a transformational shift, with the grand success of the investment summit — Advantage Assam 2.0 — which attracted investments worth at least Rs 4.5 lakh crore. The CM, while inaugurating a private hospital set up here pursuant to the agreement signed with the state govt during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, said the state govt, aiming to enhance investment across various sectors, signed several MoUs during Advantage Assam 2.0, most of which are now at different stages of implementation. "While some companies have already commenced operations and others have inaugurated their projects, a few have initiated discussions with the govt to take their plans forward," he added.
