April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and to mark this occasion, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, has launched a campaign titled “Two-Minute Action for Oral Cancer Protection” under the hashtag #ActAgainstOralCancer. The campaign aims to address the rising burden of oral cancer in India, where 65% of cases are detected late due to lack of awareness about early symptoms. Health experts are urging individuals to perform a quick two-minute self-check every month using a mirror to look for early warning signs such as white or red patches, non-healing sores, and unexplained bleeding.
India has the highest prevalence of head and neck cancers, with around 2 lakh patients diagnosed every year. Unfortunately, 60-70% of patients report in advanced stages when diagnosed, reducing chances of successful treatment. The major risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) infection. The campaign encourages individuals to “Feel, Look and Act” by regularly checking for early warning signs and seeking medical attention if they notice any unusual symptoms.
The campaign was launched during a press conference at Fortis Gurugram, where senior clinicians emphasized the importance of early detection and preventive action. Dr. Ankur Bahl, Senior Director of Medical Oncology, said that oral cancer is rapidly emerging as a major public health concern in India, and late diagnosis remains a critical issue. Dr. AK Anand, Senior Director and HOD of Radiation Oncology, encouraged individuals to follow a simple 2-minute self-check every month, looking for white or red patches, ulcers, and unusual bleeding.
Other clinicians, including Dr. Vedant Kabra, Dr. Niranjan Naik, Dr. Suman S. Karanth, Dr. Atul Mittal, and Dr. Amal Roy Chaudhoory, also emphasized the importance of early detection and timely treatment. They noted that oral cancer is largely preventable and highly treatable if caught early, and that initiatives like this campaign are critical in saving lives and improving treatment outcomes. The campaign aims to promote proactive health behavior and ensure timely diagnosis, and encourages individuals to take just two minutes every month to perform a self-check and seek medical attention if they notice any unusual symptoms.