Karachi: Medical experts have underscored that smoking, tobacco use, betel nut, gutka, and an unbalanced diet significantly raise the risk of head and neck cancer. They emphasized the importance of awareness and early diagnosis in preventing the disease during a campaign organized by Dow Medical and Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

According to a statement by Dow University of Health Sciences, the campaign was launched with Dr. Khalid Bukhari, Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, serving as the chief guest. Key figures at the event included Chairman ENT Dr. Sadaf Zia, Dr. Irfan Ahmed Sheikh, Dr. Syeda Uzma Naqvi, and Dr. Danish ur Rahim.

Dr. Khalid Bukhari lauded the campaign’s efforts, noting the registration of over 6,000 cancer cases at Civil Hospital. He assured attendees that diagnostic and treatment services are available at the facility.

In her remarks, Dr. Sadaf Zia identified smoking, tobacco use, and gutka as primary causes of head and neck cancer, alongside poor dietary habits and hygiene. She highlighted symptoms such as persistent nasal discharge, difficulty in breathing, swallowing, voice changes, and painless lumps in the neck or mouth.

Dr. Irfan Ahmed Sheikh stressed the preventability of head and neck cancer, highlighting the need for public awareness about its causes and symptoms. He lamented that many patients seek treatment only after the cancer has progressed and urged for self-examination practices to aid early detection.

As part of the campaign, patients visiting the ENT outpatient department at Civil Hospital received comprehensive examinations and education on head and neck cancer’s causes.