Early detection of head and neck cancers is the foremost path of cure

Published On 2017-12-26 13:48 GMT   |   Update On 2017-12-26 13:48 GMT

Dr. Sushen H. Bhat and colleagues conducted a study Novel Program of Using Village Health Workers in Early Detection and Awareness of Head and Neck Cancers. The study has been published in Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery.


Head and neck cancers together (oral cavity, pharynx and larynx) are sixth commonest worldwide and are the commonest cancers in developing countries. The Cancer Project was started in Kheda/Anand, Gujarat, a harvest land of tobacco. The objective of this programme was to indoctrinate the most vulnerable and the least tended upon; the basics of head and neck cancers via the medium of their own kins. Voluntary village health workers were educated and trained to pick up the early signs of head and neck cancers. Oral self-examination was taught to them and they went to peripheral villages to screen the population. They would refer suspicious cases to tertiary healthcare centre. The population was enlightened upon the basics of preventable measures, treatment options and rehabilitation facilities for head and neck cancer patients. Knowledge, attitude and practice analysis was done in the population which showed widespread disbelief and false practices. A population of 26,10,432 was surveyed in 1862 villages of which 10,522 (1.1%) individuals successfully quit the habit. The minimally educated workers referred 3309 suspicious individuals to higher centre of which 1890 (57.11%) tested positive for cancer. A lot of resource is put in research and development of rapid diagnosis and complete cure; however such a minimally costing program may help the most in the primordial, primary and secondary level of prevention. Such programs should be advocated on the global platform on lines of Breast Self Examination.



Early detection and prevention of head and neck cancers is the foremost path of cure,the author says. A large amount of finances are spent on curing cancers; however, early detection, awareness and prevention takes a back seat. We employed a novel approach where local health workers and native volunteers were trained to pick up red flag signs of head and neck cancer. The minimally educated could penetrate the ingrained population far better. Tobacco awareness, treatment options for cancer including completion of treatment were other aspects that were covered. Lastly, the existing beliefs and practices towards cancer were also dealt with. The program managed to outreach over 2.6 million individuals over 3 years.


For further reference log on to :

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12070-017-1231-1



Author -Dr. Sushen H. Bhat
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