Campaign week to raise awareness about head and neck cancer

20.09.2016 13:54

Merck announced in mid-September that it would once again be taking part in the head and neck cancer campaign week this year. This is being initiated for the fourth time by the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) and will take place from September 19th to 23rd, 2016. As part of the Europe-wide activities, several German clinics and head and neck centers organize patient days and offer examinations for early detection, lectures as well as further materials and advice.

The organizers' goal is to make the disease better known and to promote understanding of the situation of those affected. These are often severely impaired by operations on the head or neck - for example when speaking, eating or swallowing - and therefore often have to live with prejudice and exclusion. Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. However, the type of cancer is hardly known, nor are its symptoms. This is tricky because awareness among the population is crucial for early detection, which is directly linked to the patient's chances of survival.

Every year around 600,000 people worldwide develop head and neck cancer. Excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption are primarily responsible. However, an infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is now also one of the risk factors - the likelihood of becoming ill has increased in recent years among young people who have hardly consumed tobacco or alcohol. A connection with an HPV infection is suspected.

Merck has been committed to the treatment of head and neck cancer for over ten years. In addition to the campaign week, the company is currently also supporting the Head and Neck Tumor Foundation in the song contest “Open your mouth”. Bands or solo musicians can submit a video via the website until October 31, 2016  www.soundofchange.com apply. The best songs will be presented at a concert in early 2017 and released on a CD.