India Faces 5.57 Lakh Head And Neck Cancer Cases By 2050

India is projected to face 5.57 lakh new head and neck cancer cases and 2.63 lakh deaths by 2050.

This alarming rise in cancer cases has prompted experts at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, to call for strengthening early screening, timely diagnosis, and tobacco cessation.

A workshop on oral and head and neck cancer screening and basic clinical management was held on July 24, ahead of World Head and Neck Cancer Day, which is observed on July 27. The programme brought together over 100 healthcare professionals from across Maharashtra to build capacity in evidence-based oral cancer screening and multidisciplinary management.

The workshop was organised by the Division of Implementation Science and Behavioural Research (DISBR), Centre for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE), in collaboration with the Public Health Department, Government of Maharashtra. Medical officers, clinicians, dentists, and public health professionals from Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai attended the workshop.

According to GLOBOCAN 2024, head and neck cancers account for an estimated 1.02 million new cases and 470,000 deaths globally each year. India contributes nearly one-third of this burden, recording 316,514 new cases and 141,063 deaths annually.

By 2050, the global burden is projected to rise to 1.58 million new cases and 772,000 deaths, while India's annual burden is expected to reach 557,000 new cases and 263,000 deaths.

The workshop aimed to strengthen healthcare professionals' skills in oral cancer screening, early detection, and multidisciplinary clinical management in line with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

Scientific sessions covered the epidemiology of head and neck cancers, evidence supporting oral cancer screening, implementation strategies, and findings from screening demonstration projects. Participants also reviewed Maharashtra's progress in population-based screening for non-communicable diseases, with a special focus on oral cavity cancers.

The programme also featured sessions on multidisciplinary management, tobacco cessation services, and updates from the Maharashtra Public Health Department's NCD Division on oral cancer control initiatives.

During the inaugural session, ACTREC launched the Oral Cancer Guide, reaffirming Tata Memorial Centre's commitment to strengthening awareness, screening, and early detection of oral cancer.

This initiative is crucial in raising awareness about the growing burden of head and neck cancers and promoting prevention, recognition of early warning signs, early diagnosis, and equitable access to quality cancer care.

In conclusion, the rising burden of head and neck cancer cases in India is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. Early screening, timely diagnosis, and tobacco cessation are critical in preventing and controlling these cancers.

The efforts of ACTREC and the Maharashtra Public Health Department to strengthen healthcare professionals' skills in oral cancer screening and multidisciplinary management are commendable and essential in addressing this growing health concern.