CHANDIGARH,19.04.23-The month of April is celebrated as Head and Neck cancer awareness month every year. As a part of celebration A cancer awareness program for the patients and their families was organized by the department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck surgery, in New OPD complex, PGIMER, Chandigarh. All faculty members, staff and resident doctors and Msc & Bsc students of speech and hearing unit were also present on the occasion.Posters were displayed and handouts were given to make the patients aware about the causes and risk factors of common cancers specially head and neck cancers.

Dr. Naresh Panda, Prof & Head, Department of Otolaryngology, welcomed the audience and talked about the preventive aspects of head and neck cancers. Dr. Jaimanti Bakshi briefed about the statistics,causes and treatment of various cancers in the Head and Neck. The Main focus was on the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer which is the most common cancer in Northern India and other parts of the country. Tobacco use in any form can cause oral cancer.

An emphasis was given on early detection of oral cancers by understanding the behaviour of this cancer. If patient presented in late stages their chances of Survival even after best treatment goes down by 40%. Early detection and treatment is of utmost importance in management of Head and Neck cancers.