Head and neck cancer, around 9 thousand diagnoses every year

As Aiocc reminds us, head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer in Europe. According to data from Airtum, the Italian Association of Cancer Registries, around 9 thousand cases are diagnosed every year. It is a neoplasm that can be difficult to recognize because some symptoms are also common to other pathologies and can be associated with seasonal ailments. This is why early diagnosis is particularly important. According to Aiocc, in patients who receive an early diagnosis the survival rate is 80-90%.

Symptoms and the three week rule

Symptoms to look out for include tongue pain, sores that don't heal, red or white spots in the mouth, throat pain, and persistent hoarseness. Pain or difficulty swallowing, swelling of the neck, stuffy nose on one side or nosebleeds may also appear. Aiocc invites you to keep a simple rule in mind: if even just one of these symptoms occurs continuously for three weeks, you need to talk to your doctor. Recognizing symptoms early can promote early diagnosis.

Over 180 centers for early diagnosis

On the occasion of the Make Sense Campaign, over 180 public and private centers throughout Italy have joined the early diagnosis days scheduled until September 26th. Some facilities also organize dedicated events. On the Aiocc website it is possible to consult the list of participating centers with their availability, telephone numbers and opening hours.