Oral Cancer Rising in Young Adults: Don’t Ignore Mouth Sores, Warns Oncologist
(world-Today-News.com) – New Delhi, India - A concerning trend is emerging in India: a rise in oral cancer diagnoses, especially among young adults. Oncologists are urging the public to be vigilant about persistent mouth sores and unusual patches, as early detection is now linked to a dramatically improved survival rate – exceeding 90%.
Oral cancer, a type of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), accounts for 26% of cancers in Indian men and 8% in women. Incidence rates are particularly high in the Northeast, reaching 31.8 cases per 100,000 males. Nationwide, estimates suggest around 20 cases per 100,000 population.
“Early detection is absolutely critical,” explains Dr. Minish Jain, Director of Medical Oncology at Ruby Hall Clinic. “When caught early, the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer is above 80%.However, this plummets to a mere 20-30% in advanced stages, even with aggressive treatment.”
(Image: Early detection of oral cancer can boost survival rates to 90% amid rising incidence. (Jerussa Paredes))
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