Karachi, The Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi has reported a daily influx of two to three new patients suffering from head and neck cancer, a disease increasingly prevalent in the city and across Pakistan. This concern was voiced by Medical Superintendent Dr. Khalid Bukhari during the launch of a new awareness campaign aimed at combating this critical health issue.
According to Dow University of Health Sciences, Dr. Bukhari emphasized the global severity of the condition, noting that head and neck cancer claims one life every hour worldwide. The awareness campaign, a collaboration between Civil Hospital’s ENT Unit Two, Dow Medical College, and the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum (TEFF), seeks to educate both the public and medical professionals on the early signs and prevention of these cancers.
Speakers at the event, including former head of ENT Prof. Shuja Farrukh and heads of ENT units Prof. Zeba Ahmed and Prof. Sadaf Zia, highlighted the significant burden of head and neck cancers, which constitute 4-5% of all cancer types globally. They pointed out the alarming rate of late-stage cancer patients arriving at hospitals, underlining the critical need for early diagnosis and treatment to improve survival rates.
Prof. Farrukh criticized common local habits such as chewing betel leaves and tobacco, which contribute to the high incidence of these cancers. He praised TEFF for its efforts in raising awareness and stressed the importance of education in preventing late-stage cancer diagnoses.
The event also featured discussions on various treatment options available for head and neck cancer patients, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, but emphasized that early detection remains key to effective treatment.
Dr. Zeba Ahmed remarked on the potential for saving lives through early detection and proper diagnosis, noting that while some relief can be provided for stage 3 and 4 cancers, full recovery is often not possible at these advanced stages.
The campaign’s inauguration was marked by Dr. Bukhari cutting a ribbon, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing hope and renewed effort in the fight against head and neck cancer.