Blogs

India carries one of the world's highest burdens of head and neck cancers. Every year, thousands of families hear the words, "It's cancer," often after ignoring what seemed like a harmless mouth ulcer or persistent hoarseness. The unfortunate reality is that for many Indians, a health check-up is postponed until the body starts sending distress signals loud enough to disrupt daily life. Ironically, many people spend more time servicing their car than getting their own health examined.

The numbers tell a worrying story. Head and neck cancers account for nearly one-third of all cancers among men in India, making them one of the country's most common malignancies. At M|O|C Cancer Care, over 10% of our cancer cases are that of Head and Neck Cancers, predominantly oral cavity cancers. The biggest culprits are not hidden mysteries, they are tobacco in all its forms, excessive alcohol consumption, and increasingly, HPV-related cancers affecting the head & neck region.

Walk through any town or village, and tobacco is available at almost every street corner. Yet, a white patch inside the mouth or a non-healing ulcer is often dismissed as "just a vitamin deficiency" or treated with home remedies for months. At the same time, oncologists are witnessing a growing number of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers, particularly among younger individuals with no history of tobacco use. Changes in sexual practices, including oral sex, are believed to contribute to HPV transmission, adding a new dimension to India's head and neck cancer burden.

By the time patients reach an oncologist, many cancers are already in advanced stages, requiring extensive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments that are physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. But this story does not have to end this way.

Unlike many cancers, head and neck cancers are among the most preventable ones. Quitting tobacco remains the single most effective step anyone can take. The benefits begin almost immediately, and the risk of cancer gradually declines over time. Equally important is recognising early warning signs—mouth ulcers lasting more than two weeks, difficulty swallowing, persistent voice changes, neck swelling, unexplained bleeding, or white and red patches inside the mouth should never be ignored.

Regular oral examinations by your doctors can detect precancerous changes long before they become life-threatening. Community screening camps, workplace awareness programmes, school-based anti-tobacco education, and stronger implementation of tobacco control laws can significantly reduce the burden of this disease.

The responsibility does not rest with doctors alone. Families can encourage loved ones to quit tobacco, employers can create tobacco-free workplaces, schools can educate adolescents before habits begin, and policymakers can ensure that preventive healthcare reaches every corner of the country.

At M|O|C Cancer Care & Research Centre, we witness every day that patients diagnosed early often return to their families, careers, and normal lives after treatment. Those diagnosed late face a much steeper journey, one that is often avoidable.

India does not need better excuses for late diagnosis; it needs better awareness, timely action, and the collective will to treat prevention with the same seriousness as treatment. Because in head and neck cancer, the most powerful cure often begins long before the first operation or the first dose of chemotherapy- it begins with one informed decision to stop tobacco, recognise symptoms early, and seek help without delay.

Call to action

Take the First Step

If you or a loved one has a mouth ulcer that does not heal, persistent voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or any unusual lump in the neck, do not wait. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

Schedule a cancer screening or consult our oncologist at M|O|C Cancer Care if you notice any warning signs. When detected early, head and neck cancer is often highly treatable and in many cases, preventable.

Dr.Kiran Tamkhane
DNB , DrNb
Consultant Cancer Physician
MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Kalyan .