The number of head and neck cancers among people under 40 is increasing – experts remind in connection with the XNUMXrd European Week of Head and Neck Cancer Prevention, which begins on Monday.
As part of this event, from September 21 to 25, nearly 50 medical facilities throughout Poland will be able to undergo free preventive examinations for head and neck cancers. The organizers of the campaign argue that it should be attended primarily by people who have been experiencing at least one of the following symptoms for about three weeks: sore tongue, untreated mouth ulcers and / or red or white spots in the mouth, pain throat, persistent hoarseness, pain and / or difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, blocked one side of the nose or nosebleeds.
The examination carried out by an ENT specialist is painless and the patient does not have to prepare for it.
The list of 48 centers with admission dates for free examinations is available, among others on the website of Polska Grupa Badań Cancer Głowy i Szyi (www.phnos.org.pl) or on the website of the “Make sense” campaign (www.makesensecampaign.eu/pl/awareness-week), under which the week is organized.
“Until recently, head and neck cancers have been a neglected problem. It was mainly afflicted by people over 50, with low socioeconomic status, abusing alcohol and cigarettes. Drinking alcohol and smoking are among the most important risk factors for these diseases “- told PAP Prof. Wojciech Golusiński, president of the Polish Head and Neck Cancer Research Group. As he noted, these cancers became interested only when there was an increase in the incidence of people under 40-45. years of age, well-educated, non-drinkers and non-smokers.
Scientists estimate that for this so-called The epidemiological phenomenon corresponds to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is best known as a contributing factor in the development of cervical cancer. In the case of head and neck cancers, transmission of the virus through oral sex plays a role. Large American studies show that people who had sexual initiation early, had multiple partners and had oral sex, are eight times more likely to develop cancers in this group – recalled Prof. Golusiński.
As he assessed, knowledge about head and neck cancers is still small among Poles. It is similar throughout Europe. From the survey entitled “About Face” conducted as part of the “Make sense” campaign in Western Europe shows that 75 percent. respondents were not able to provide basic information about these diseases. “It was usually said to be a brain tumor. “Meanwhile, these are all cancers located in the head and neck area, except for brain tumors and eye tumors” – explained Prof. Golusiński. These include cancers of the upper respiratory and digestive tract: the larynx, lower and middle pharynx, mouth, tongue, cheek mucosa, palate, nose, paranasal sinuses, tumors of the skull base, ear, thyroid gland, and a large group of skin malignancies, including melanomas, which are abundant in the head and neck area.
In Poland, about 11 are diagnosed every year. new cases of these tumors, which puts them in sixth place among all malignant neoplasms. About 6 people die each year because of them. This is twice as much as road fatalities, emphasized prof. Golusiński. Importantly, in the last 20 years, the number of cases of these cancers has increased by 20%. Although men suffer from it two or three times more often, an increase in the disease among women has recently been observed.
Little knowledge about these diseases and non-specific symptoms mean that patients visit their doctor late. “U 60 percent. of them, the tumor is diagnosed at the third or fourth stage of advancement. And then it is very difficult for us to effectively help the sick. Therefore, over 60 percent. of them die within five years. However, if we diagnosed these cancers in the first stage of advancement, the chance of being cured is 95%. So there is something to fight for “- said prof. Golusiński.
That is why the organizers of the “Make sense” campaign set themselves the goal of raising public awareness of head and neck cancers, which in turn will translate into an increase in the number of early diagnoses and improvement of treatment results.
“It should also be remembered that all therapeutic activities – surgery, radio- or chemotherapy – cause not only facial deformities in patients with head and neck cancers, but also often loss of speech, communication disorders or deficits in various senses, including smell and taste. , hearing. Therefore, patients, especially from small towns, are often at risk of social exclusion and ostracism “- explained Prof. Golusiński.
The main theme of this year’s celebration of the XNUMXrd European Week of Head and Neck Cancer Prevention – “Loud and clear – understand and counteract” refers to this problem.
This event is part of the “Make sense” campaign initiated and conducted by the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) in close cooperation with medical and patient organizations.
In addition to free preventive examinations, the celebration also includes training for young people, information on social media and many other activities. The organizers also encourage you to sign a petition to the European Parliament to implement the White Paper on “Head and neck cancers: a treatable disease that kills more than half of the sick. Let’s do something about it! ” published in 2013 (www.makesensecampaign.eu/petition).
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