Head and neck cancer affects more than 3,000 people annually in Portugal. The success of fighting a disease depends a lot on when it is detected. This Wednesday marks World Head and Neck Cancer Day.
What are the main symptoms?
Although the numbers are expressive, there is still little awareness of this type of cancer, i.e. the possible sites and its first signs and symptoms. For this reason, 60% of patients with advanced head and neck cancer are diagnosed with a life expectancy of only five years. Persistent hoarseness, mouth sores that don’t heal, or swollen staphylococcal nodesFor a long time are only some signs.
Tobacco, alcohol and HPV as major risk factors
The disease mainly affects smokers or ex-smokers and people who consume alcohol excessively, but an increasing number of conditions are associated with other risk factors, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
The importance of multidisciplinary
Often, patients with head and neck cancer lose their larynx and/or other organs, and as a result, there are changes in some vital functions such as their diet or even their voice. Supportive care – where psychological support is included – is essential to the patient’s adjustment to their new condition.
What should be done in this area?
More organization, fluidity throughout the procedure and better patient monitoring are the main gaps identified by Specialist Anna Joachim.
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