There are complaints of swallowing, eating, even speaking disorders, beware of head and neck cancer

A person who has the habit of smoking and drinking at the same time has a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer. In addition, people infected by human papillomavirus (HPV) or sexually transmitted infections, can also result in head and neck cancer.

Other risk factors include prolonged sun exposure, Epstein-Barr virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), poor oral and dental hygiene, inhalation of toxic substances in the environment/work, and malnutrition.

Signs and symptoms

dr. Rismauli explained that it is very important for the community to be more sensitive in knowing and feeling the signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer from the start.

Signs to watch for include asymptomatic neck lumps, painful mucosal ulceration, visible oral mucosal lesions, hoarseness, or dysphagia or difficulty swallowing.

Further symptoms depending on the location and extent of the tumor include pain, nerve palsies, paresthesias i.e. tingling or numbness, trismus or stiffness in the jaw and neck area which makes it difficult for a person to open the mouth.

In addition, halitosis or bad breath can also be found which can be caused by poor oral hygiene, illness or an unhealthy lifestyle.

“Considering the severe suffering of head and neck cancer, the public is advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle by stopping smoking, not consuming alcohol, using adequate sunscreen, reducing the risk of HPV and HIV infection, maintaining hygiene and taking care of teeth and mouth,” said dr. . Rismauli.

Treatment

Treatment of head and neck cancer is mainly through surgery, radiation with or without chemotherapy, targeted therapy, to immunotherapy. This treatment option will adjust to the level of cancer development (stage) and the location of the cancer experienced by the patient.

The implementation of therapy for patients needs to be carefully planned by a team of doctors with backgrounds in different disciplines such as ENT, Radiotherapy, Medical Oncology doctors who in Indonesia are known as Blood Disease and Cancer Consultants, and even requires the involvement of nutritionists and medical rehabilitation doctors to get results. optimal treatment.

“If detected and treated early, head and neck cancer as in other types of cancer can provide better treatment outcomes and a better quality of life for patients,” he said.

Getting used to living a clean and healthy lifestyle is very important to avoid various diseases including head and neck cancer. Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as it is today, consuming a balanced nutritious diet, actively exercising and maintaining adequate sleep patterns are very important.

According to Globocan 2020 data, the new incidence of head and neck cancer in the world is 932,000 which is the sum of cancers of the lips and oral cavity, tongue, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx, and salivary glands. Not only that, head and neck cancer is listed as the seventh leading cause of death in the world and constitutes 5 percent of all cancers in the world.

The Ministry of Health (Kemkes) said the prevalence of cancer has increased in recent years. Referring to the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data, the prevalence of cancer in Indonesia reached 1.79 per 1000 population, up from 2013 as much as 1.4 per 1000 population.

Meanwhile, in 2020, cancer cases compared to the total population of 273 million, there were 396,914 new cases with a death rate of almost three quarters, namely 234,511 people.

Unfortunately, in general, 70 percent of new cancer patients visit a health facility at the final stage.

Cancer generally begins when healthy cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably. These cells then form a mass called a tumor.

A benign tumor may grow but not spread, while a tumor may be cancerous or benign. Cancerous tumors are dangerous as they grow and spread to all parts of the body.

Since the start of the implementation of the National Health Insurance-Indonesian Health Card (JKN-KIS) program, the financing for cancer treatment from 2014 to 2019 amounted to Rp. 17.3 trillion.

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Cancer