These days several forms of cancer are curable and preventable. Those who have witnessed and experienced its destructive power, can take heart from this revelation.

Scientists have proved that there is a direct relationship between malnutrition, toxic habits like drinking and smoking, and head and neck cancers, for example. There is a public campaign to highlight these dangers.

In Cuba's eastern province of Las Tunas, where malignant tumors are the first cause of death, a multidisciplinary group of physicians is challenging them.

Manuel Medina Suarez, an outstanding laryngologist with the team working at the local Ernesto Guevara Hospital, said that head and neck cancer is a high-incidence pathology in this territory. He went on to explain that when they began this initiative in 2002, they had little experience in this area but they are now showing positive results in the treatment of these patients.

The specialist quoted several cases:

Julio Diaz Carrasana, living in the southern town of Guayabal, was suffering from pains in the ridges of his gums and was diagnosed with a malignant tumor. The surgeons decided to remove that part and placed prosthesis in its place.

Julio says he feels fine now. It has been a year since he was operated on and he is totally rehabilitated. The doctors forecast a good prognosis.

Another Las Tunas’s resident, Avelino Casimiro Benitez, had part of his larynx removed using a procedure that allows the patient to go on speaking and breathing with minimum difficulty. He has recovered well since then.

Experts assure that a diet rich in vegetables and fruit is key to the prevention of the disease. Equally early diagnosis is crucial in many cases. They advise that warts whose color has changed, or a thickening of the neck, mouth bleeding, hoarseness, breathing and swallowing difficulties should always be reported to the doctor as soon as they appear.

By: Periodico26