Posted on 7th Apr 2025, by Admin
As we mark World Health Day 2025, it's the perfect time to reflect not just on access to healthcare, but also on the power of prevention through lifestyle choices. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life. As a head and neck cancer surgeon, I’ve seen firsthand how everyday habits can silently shape cancer risk—and how small changes can make a life-saving difference.
Head and neck cancers, which include cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and salivary glands, are often strongly linked to preventable lifestyle factors. In fact, nearly 75% of cases are associated with tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing. These substances not only damage tissue but also work synergistically, multiplying the risk when used together.
The rise of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers, especially among younger adults, adds another layer to this public health concern. While not a “lifestyle choice” in the traditional sense, increasing awareness of HPV vaccination and practicing safe sexual health are key to reducing incidence.
On this World Health Day, let’s shift the conversation from treatment to prevention. Adopting a tobacco-free lifestyle, reducing alcohol intake, and avoiding carcinogenic habits like chewing betel quid (paan or supari) can drastically reduce your cancer risk. Equally important is oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and being alert to warning signs like persistent ulcers, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing.
Encouraging early detection and health-seeking behavior, especially in communities with limited access to care, must be a public health priority. Screening camps, awareness programs, and integration of cancer checks into routine health visits can save lives.
While surgeons are often associated with the operating room, we also have a critical role to play in health education and cancer prevention advocacy. Empowering individuals to make informed lifestyle choices is as important as the scalpel.
This World Health Day, take a moment to evaluate your lifestyle. What you do today can shape your health tomorrow. Let’s move beyond treatment to proactive prevention, especially for cancers that whisper before they roar.
Your health is your right. Your choices are your power. Prevention begins today.