Uniting Voices Across Europe to Show Support for Head and Neck Cancer Patients

News provided by

European Head and Neck Society

21 Sep, 2015, 07:00 GMT

BRUSSELS, September 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

  • Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer, affecting over 600,000 people globally  
  • Activities to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of this devastating disease are being held as part of the Third Global Annual Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week  
  • Give your voice to support head and neck cancer patients by joining the conversation on social media #UnitingVoices 

The European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) and the Make Sense Campaign, today announced the launch of the Third Annual Head and Neck Cancer Awareness week (21-25 September). Through the pan-European Awareness Week, the EHNS and Make Sense Campaign promote education on head and neck cancer risk factors, disease prevention and disease signs and symptoms for both patients and healthcare professionals.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7628151-support-head-neck-cancer-patients/

"Each year 350,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer across Europe, and over half will not be alive after five years. However, if diagnosed and treated earlier, patients can have an 80 - 90% survival rate." said Professor René Leemans, President of the EHNS and Professor and Chief of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at VU University Medical Centre. "Through the Make Sense Campaign we are educating people about the early signs of the disease and encouraging them to seek professional help in a timely manner. Additionally, we are advocating for the best possible standards of patient care so that their outcomes can be optimised once they have been diagnosed with the disease."

This year, the campaign is focused on seeking excellence for patients. It will do this through a multi-stakeholder programme of activities with healthcare professionals and patient advocacy representatives through a variety of activities, including an exciting social media programme. Additionally, the campaign highlights the benefits of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) care in head and neck cancer. An MDT approach unites all aspects of patient care and has been shown to improve patient outcomes.

Giving a Voice to Patients - Uniting Voices 

This year's social media platform is called 'Uniting Voices' - which will spark much needed conversation about head and neck cancer. The goal is to use these channels to raise awareness, and empower head and neck cancer patients by giving them a sense of community and show they are not suffering alone.

You can join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #UnitingVoices, or visit our multi-language website http://www.makesensecampaign.eu for more information.

Early Diagnosis Days 

Free 'Early Diagnosis Days' (where people can see a healthcare professional and receive a free head and neck cancer screening) are scheduled to take place on 23 September, at various locations across Europe.

Individuals are encouraged to visit one of the clinics for a free screening, especially if they have experienced ONE of the following symptoms for a duration of THREE weeks:

  • Sore tongue, non-healing mouth ulcers and/or red or white patches in the mouth
  • Pain in the throat
  • Persistent hoarseness
  • Pain and/or difficulty swallowing
  • Lump in the neck
  • Blocked nose on one side or blood discharge from the nose

For more information on the clinics involved, please visit: http://makesensecampaign.eu/awareness-week.

Additionally, 'Youth Education Days' will take place in schools and universities across Europe, communicating information about the disease and its symptoms to students and young adults, as part of a dedicated Young Adults Day on Thursday 24 September. The awareness week will conclude on Friday 25 September with a healthcare professional information day at the European Cancer Congress (ECC) conference in Vienna, where head and neck cancer experts will be available for media interview, and education campaign materials will be widely available.

How to get involved:
If you would like to get involved and help raise awareness of head and neck cancer, you can:

For more information, visit http://www.makesensecampaign.eu.

Notes to Editors 


About the Make Sense Campaign  

The Make Sense campaign, run by the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS), aims to raise awareness of head and neck cancer and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with the disease. It will do this through:

  • Education on disease prevention
  • Driving understanding of the signs and symptoms of the disease
  • Encouraging earlier presentation, diagnosis and referral

The Make Sense Campaign is supported by Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim and Transgene.

About the EHNS 

The European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) is an international non-profit association based in Belgium. The EHNS is composed of individuals, national and multinational societies, and associated study groups oriented towards head and neck cancer research, training and treatment throughout Europe. Individuals from the rest of the world are also welcome to apply for membership. The intent of the EHNS is to promote exchange of knowledge in all aspects of head and neck neoplastic diseases and to promote the highest standards of research, education and training, disease prevention and patient care. For more information on the society, please visit: http://www.ehns.org

About Head and Neck Cancer 

Head and neck cancer is a way of describing any cancer that that is found in the head or neck region, including the inside of the mouth and tongue ('oral cavity'), the throat ('pharynx') and the voice box ('larynx') and excluding the eyes, brain, ears or oesophagus. This type of cancer usually begins in the squamous cells that line the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck: for example inside the mouth, nose and throat.

Killer Facts 

  • Head and neck cancer is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and kills over 62,000 people across Europe each year
  • It is about half as common as lung cancer, but twice as common as cervical cancer
  • More than 150,000 people were diagnosed with the disease across Europe in 2012 alone
  • Approximately 60% of people with head and neck cancer present with locally advanced disease at diagnosis
  • Approximately 60% of people diagnosed at an advanced stage will die from the disease within five years
  • Men are two to three times more likely to develop head and neck cancer, although the incidence in women is increasing
  • Head and neck cancer is most common in people over the age of 40, but there has been a recent increase in younger people developing the disease

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Video: 
     http://www.multivu.com/players/uk/7628151-support-head-neck-cancer-patients/