4 lakh head and neck cancer cases every year in India

Hyderabad, Nov 3 (UNI) Renowned head and neck cancer surgeon of the Apollo hospital here, Dr Umanath K Nayak today said three to four lakh new cases were being diagnosed every year, comprising 35 per cent of total cancer cases registered in the country.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the cases of head and neck cancer have been increasing due to smoking and chewing tobocco products. Around six to eight lakh head and neck cancer patients were already undergoing treatment.

The cases of head and neck cancer were very low in European countries, accounting for just five per cent of total cancer patients, he said.

He also stated that such cancer patients also face speech and swallowing problems, adding that cancer was now occuring at an early age between 30 to 40 years also, due to several problems, including factors of heredity.

Mr Naik said the hospital will organise a one day conference on comprehensive rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients ''REHAB 2006'' on November five. Doctors, representing various countries, would take part and discuss the issue of rehabilitation of the patients.

Apollo hospitals Chief Executive Officer Hariprasad said the hospital would be setting up 'Comprehensive cancer rehabilitation centre' with the partnership of 'John Hopkins' medical centre at a cost of Rs two crore next month. It was the first of its kind in the country which offers treatment to head and neck cancer patients.

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