While we think of cancer, most of us visualise lung cancer, breast cancer, or perhaps blood cancer. But there's one other silent killer claiming lives in India—head and neck cancers. From as mundane an act as chewing tobacco to an infection with HPV, the cancers usually originate in the mouth, throat, or voice box, and by the time they become glaringly apparent, it's usually too late. What makes it even more terrifying? India is among the world's worst-affected nations.
Head and neck cancers constitute nearly 30% of all Indian cancer cases, whereas in Western nations, it accounts for less than 5%. That's not only a figure, it's a red flag that it's an epidemic we can no longer afford to ignore.
Why Are Head and Neck Cancers So Common in India?
The biggest culprit is lifestyle. Tobacco in all forms, smoking and smokeless, is the leading cause, and India happens to be the world’s second-largest consumer of tobacco. More than 28% of Indian adults use tobacco products regularly, making this a ticking time bomb, said Dr Sultan Pradhan, Surgical Oncologist and Founder of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Head and Neck Cancer Institute of India (HNCII).
But tobacco is only part of the issue. Alcohol addiction, lack of good oral hygiene, escalating incidents of HPV infections, and even environmental toxins contribute to the danger. Nutritional deficiencies contribute as well, particularly in rural communities where there is little access to healthy diets and dental care.
Dr Pradhan calls this a ‘silent cancer epidemic'. He warns, “Though refined surgical techniques have revolutionised results, the time is now unquestionably clear, more robust prevention drives, early diagnosis programs, and additional specialist centres to address this whopping public health problem."
Also Read: What Regular Self-Checks Look Like For Preventing Head And Neck Cancer
Why Early Detection Matters
One of the most difficult things with neck and head cancers is delayed diagnosis. Almost 60% of Indian patients are diagnosed at Stage III or Stage IV, when treatment is complicated and survival levels decline precipitously.
Here’s the reality:
- If diagnosed early, survival rates can reach 80–90%.
- If diagnosed late, survival falls to below 30%.
- This disparity can be a matter of life and death, and the way to close this gap is awareness and periodic screening, particularly for smokers, tobacco chewers, and heavy drinkers.
What Are the Warning Signs?
Early symptoms are usually ignored because they appear to be harmless. Here, however, are some warning signs that should never be ignored:
- A mouth sore that doesn't heal
- White or red patches inside the mouth
- Trouble swallowing or chronic throat pain
- Hoarseness or voice change
- Swelling or lump in the neck
If any of these persist for over two weeks, consult a doctor.
Also Read: Are Senior Citizens More At Risk Of Head And Neck Cancer?
Beyond Surgery: Prevention Is the Real Game-Changer
Dr Pradhan stresses that surgery alone cannot solve the problem. India needs:
- Cessation programs for tobacco and alcohol
- HPV vaccine drives to ensure virus-associated cancers
- Oral cancer screening camps at the community level
- More specialised cancer hospitals in the smaller metros to take away from metro hospital load
Dr Pradhan highlighted the importance of rehabilitation and nutrition. “Many survivors struggle with speaking and swallowing after treatment, and proper support can make a huge difference in quality of life,” he concluded.