VS Hospitals Launches “Two Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection” Campaign
Chennai: VS Hospitals, in association with Merck Specialities Private Limited, has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about oral cancer and encourage early detection. The “Two Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection” campaign, marked by the hashtag #ActAgainstOralCancer, coincides with World No Tobacco Day.
The campaign urges people to perform quick oral self-checks to catch early signs of cancer, using the simple “Feel, Look, Act” approach. To facilitate this, mirrors will be placed in hospital waiting areas, helping visitors spot red or white patches, non-healing sores, swelling, or voice changes. This initiative aims to promote timely detection and management of oral cancer, ultimately improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.
Prof. Dr. S. Subramanian, Senior Medical Oncologist, emphasizes the importance of early detection, stating, “The rising surge in oral cancer cases is an urgent call for immediate public awareness, early detection, and preventive action. ‘Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection’ campaign will help with timely detection and management of oral cancer.”
Dr. S. Nithya, Associate Director and Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, highlights the prevalence of head and neck cancer in India, saying, “Head and neck cancer is the most common cancer among Indians. Nearly 65% of patients visit the doctor in advanced stages of the disease, which delays treatment and reduces survival rates.”
India faces a significant burden of head and neck cancer, with around 2 lakh new cases diagnosed every year. In 2022, the number of lip and oral cavity cancer cases exceeded a lakh, accounting for 65% of head and neck cancer cases. Alarmingly, around 60-70% of patients in India are diagnosed with advanced-stage oral cancer, underscoring the need for early detection and awareness.
