Late diagnosis still hinders head and neck cancer treatment
Green July is not just an awareness campaign. It is an urgent warning for a reality that still receives little attention: most Brazilians discover head and neck cancer in advanced stages, when the chances of a cure decrease and treatments become more aggressive. In many cases, the greatest enemy is not just the illness, but the silence that surrounds it.
Cancers that affect the mouth, tongue, throat, larynx, pharynx, nose, sinuses and salivary glands. Although often silent at first, the disease often emits signs that should not be ignored. Mouth sores that do not heal, persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, prolonged sore throat, lumps in the neck and frequent bleeding may indicate something more serious and require medical evaluation.
The problem is that there is still a culture of neglect regarding these symptoms. Many people live with seemingly trivial discomforts for months, postponing seeking care. Others don't even know that these signs could be related to cancer. When they finally reach specialized services, the tumor is already at an advanced stage, limiting therapeutic possibilities and increasing suffering.
This delay takes a heavy toll. Treatment of head and neck cancer often involves extensive surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In some cases, it can compromise essential functions such as speaking, chewing, swallowing and even breathing. The consequences go beyond the physical aspect: they affect self-esteem, social coexistence, the ability to work and the emotional health of patients and their families.
HPV and prevention: what has changed in recent years
In recent years, another factor has gained increasing importance: HPV infection. The virus, transmitted mainly through sexual contact, is related to the increase in tumors in the throat region, including among younger people with no history of smoking. This change in the epidemiological profile shows that prevention needs to accompany the transformations in society.
In this context, vaccination against HPV represents one of the greatest advances in preventive medicine in recent decades. Immunizing children and adolescents means protecting entire generations against diseases that may appear many years later. This is a safe, effective measure capable of saving lives, but it still faces misinformation and low vaccination coverage in several regions of the country.
It is also essential to reinforce the importance of healthy habits. Not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, maintaining good oral hygiene, practicing safe sex and having regular medical appointments are simple attitudes, but capable of reducing risks and promoting early diagnosis.
Green July reminds us that fighting cancer does not just depend on advanced technologies or innovative treatments. It depends, above all, on quality information, timely access to health services and collective commitment to prevention.
We need to talk more about these tumors. We need to teach the population to recognize warning signs and ensure that exams and specialist consultations are available to everyone, without delay.
Because, in the face of head and neck cancer, time makes a difference. Every day lost can mean one less opportunity for healing. Each early diagnosis means less suffering, less aggressive treatments and better quality of life.
May Green July be, therefore, more than an annual campaign. May it be a permanent commitment to information, prevention and appreciation of life. After all, when it comes to cancer, silence does not protect. Silence kills.
*Text written by head and neck surgeon Antonio José Gonçalves -(CRM-SP 25.374 | RQE-SP 18.049 and 19.162), president of the Associação Paulista de Medicina (APM)
Head and neck cancer has the majority of advanced cases in the country
Source: CNN