July 27 marks Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day. One of the cancers that has significantly increased in incidence in recent times, especially among young patients, is head and neck cancer. It ranks as the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide, with risk factors that are largely preventable. Over 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and in Chile, between 400 and 500 deaths are estimated annually, which equals one death for every five from breast cancer, and it is twice as common in men as in women. This coming July 27 marks World Head and Neck Cancer Day, a date on which various international oncology societies engage in educational activities aimed at promoting consultation and early detection of this disease. It encompasses areas from the oral cavity and pharynx, tongue, mouth, lips, and jaw, to the throat, salivary glands, tonsils, thyroid, paranasal sinuses, and esophagus.
