17-05-2025
Mirror check drive to curb oral cancer
Lucknow: Early signs of oral cancer--such as white or red patches, non-healing ulcers, unexplained bleeding, persistent lumps, or voice changes-- require immediate attention.
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.
