Tumors of the head and neck, free screening from 15 to 20 September for early diagnosis and prevention

From the world day of head and neck tumors, a rich program of insights began under the hat of the Make Sense Campaign. There are more than 140 public and private centers, which have made themselves available to carry out early diagnosis days in the week from 15 to 20 Septemberon the entire national territory.

These are heterogeneous neoplasms affecting areas fundamental such as mouth, pharynx, larynx and neck. Serious pathologies but which can be successfully treated if you identify promptly. In Italy, in 2022, the Testa-color tumor It was diagnosed with about 9,750 people and caused about 3,800 deaths (of which 2,700 men and 1,100 women). It is the seventh more widespread cancer in Europe. (AIRTUM data – Italian Association of Tumor Registers).

There Make Sense Campaign It is a European initiative promoted by Ehns-European Head and Neck Society and coordinated in Italy by the Aiocc-Italian Association of Cervico-Cefalic Oncology. Dedicated clinics, screening and popular activities These are the tools put in place to spread the culture of prevention and to offer a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment. The complete map of the Italian centers participating with all the practical information It can be consulted here.

«The small the tumor, the greater the chances of healing. An early diagnosis allows a survival of 80-90%while the most advanced forms significantly reduce this probability »explains Lisa Licitra, director of medical oncology 3 – head tumors and neck of theNational Cancer Institute of Milanwhich, like many national and regional entities and institutions, is offering or has offered events and screening in these months, in some cases free.

Even when the pain is absent, some signals can indicate the presence of a serious pathology: Persistent swelling in the mouth or neck, ear pain, ulcers or small bleeding that do not heal. “Recognizing and talking about it immediately with the doctor can really make a difference – Licitra underlines – Prevention begins with listening to your body”.

An increasingly relevant chapter is that of Bond between the HPV (Papilloma Human Virus) and the golden tumorswhich affect the back of the mouth and the tonsils. “Anti-HPV vaccination-adds Licitra-not only reduces genital tumors but also protects from the risk of developing head-to-color tumors related HPV”. According to estimates, in the next thirty years there will be a substantial increase in these cases among the generations that have not been able to benefit from the vaccine.

Therapies are also evolving on the surgical level. “Today a tiny approach, which includes the robotic removal of neoplasms and the surgical removal of the lymph nodes, allows to reduce the intensity of the treatments without sacrificing the therapeutic effectiveness. The result is a better quality of life after treatment »he explains Alberto Deganellodirector of the Institute’s oncological orcological orchological systems.