The incidence of cancer is on the rise globally with Head and Neck Cancer emerging as a particularly prevalent concern in India but head and neck cancers are of 2 types where 90% of the cases seen are of squamous cell cancer(SCC) while the other group is thyroid and salivary gland cancers and the treatment and management of both types are different. Head and neck cancer is emerging as prevalent concern in India. Know its causes, symptoms, who are at risk (Image by kjpargeter on Freepik) In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Anil D’Cruz, Director Oncology and Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centres in Navi Mumbai, shared, “The major category which is SCC encompasses a vast region extending from just below the brain down to the collarbone, encompassing around 13 to 14 distinct sub-sites within the head and neck anatomy that are susceptible to cancerous growths.
” Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India's general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! According to him, one of the primary contributing factors to this alarming trend is the widespread use of tobacco in India. He said, “Statistics reveal that approximately one-third of our population aged 15 and above are either predisposed to or actively engage in tobacco consumption in various forms.
More than 50% of these individuals prefer smokeless tobacco products, while 30 to 40% opt for smoking tobacco. It's crucial to recognize that any form of tobacco usage signif.
