Some symptoms are not to be taken lightly. “Throat pain, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, ear pain, neck lump, nosebleed“Can hide cancer of the Superior Aero-Digestive Tract (VADS) if they persist beyond three weeks, warns the Merck Serono laboratory. The latter organizes, in partnership with the French Society of Cervico-Facial Carcinology (SFCCF) ), a vast awareness campaign entitled “Take cancer by the throat” from September 21 to 25. VADS cancers include mouth cancers, cheeks, palate, of the language and tonsils. In France, they rank 8th among the most frequent cancers, with 14,838 new cases diagnosed in 2012, of which 74% are men.
Only one in three French people know about VADS cancers
During this awareness week, the Ifop polling institute reveals that 72% of French people would consult a doctor if symptoms such as nosebleeds, throat pain or ear pain lasted more than three weeks. . However, “only 29% have ever heard of ABV cancers and know exactly what it is. “
Alcohol and tobacco, the main risk factors
However, 98% of those questioned during this survey know that alcohol and tobacco are a risk factor predominant in the occurrence of cancers. Indeed, “the combination of alcohol and tobacco significantly increases the occurrence of ENT cancers“, indicates Professor Beatrix Barry, head of the ENT cancer surgery department at Bichat hospital in Paris and President of the SFCCF.”VADS cancers are to be suspected in people with risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco; but also in people with sore throats which can cause ear pain when swallowing, those who have a ganglion in the neck, a change in voice“, informs Pr Beatrix Barry. Thus, to prevent this type of cancer as well as possible, it is essential to limit your alcohol consumption and to avoid smoking. Professor Barry also recommends not to hesitate to consult a doctor in case of doubt: “it is better to consult for nothing than to have cancer at an advanced stage which will require more serious care“, she explains.
For more information, find the testimonials, the opinions of medical experts but also the places of prevention and screening of cancers of VADS from September 21 to 25 on the event website.
>> To read also:
Oral cavity cancers: a 60% increase linked to oral sex
Infographic: 355,000 new cancer cases per year
Cancer: meditation makes it easier to live with the disease
Exercising in adolescence would reduce the risk of cancer