World Head & Neck Cancer Day: Shun Tobacco, Areca Nut & Excessive Alcohol; Awareness Programme Organised In Indore

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): To mark World Head and Neck Cancer Day (WHNCD), observed globally on July 27, Sri Aurobindo Dental College organised an awareness programme on Friday to educate people about early signs, risks and prevention of head and neck cancers.

The inaugural session was attended by Dr Jayashree Tapadia (Dean, Student Welfare, Sri Aurobindo University), Dr Kanteshwari I K (Dean, Dental College), Dr Geeti Vazdi Mitra (Director, PG Studies), and Dr Sandesh N (Head, Department of Community Dentistry). They all spoke about growing need to raise awareness about these often-overlooked but increasingly common forms of cancer.

The keynote speaker, Dr Dilip Kumar Acharya, National President of IMA Cancer and Tobacco Control Committee, delivered a detailed and engaging talk on symptoms and risk factors associated with head and neck cancers. He highlighted the strong link between these cancers and the use of tobacco, areca nut, and excessive alcohol, which are major contributors to squamous cell carcinoma in the region.

Dr Acharya also shared visuals of pre-cancerous oral lesions and discussed practical strategies for quitting tobacco, making the session both informative and impactful. His talk was followed by an interactive Q&A session with the audience.

Dr Shraddha Jaiswal, Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, provided valuable insights into the pathological and diagnostic aspects of head and neck cancers, adding depth to the academic discussions.

The event was well-received by students and faculty alike, and it underscored the importance of preventive healthcare and early diagnosis.