Committed to fighting throat cancers among patients and caregivers, the Société Française de Carcinologie Cervico-Faciale (SFCCF) and the Société Française d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie de la Face et du Cou (SFORL) are launching the national "Rouge-Gorge" campaign, which will take place during the week of April 2 to 5, 2024. Its aim is to raise awareness and provide information about throat cancers.
Throat cancers in France
Throat cancers are also known as ENT (ear, nose and throat) cancers, head and neck cancers or cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). They develop in the lips, mouth, pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx), larynx, nasal cavity, sinuses or salivary glands.
These cancers are mainly due to tobacco and alcohol consumption, but another cause is playing a growing role, particularly in oropharyngeal cancer (including the tonsils and base of the tongue): viruses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family.
All concerned: women and young people increasingly affected
The evolution of risk factors has an impact on the profile of patients affected by the disease.
In France, the projected number of new cases of throat cancer (lip, mouth, pharynx and larynx) in 2017 was 15,264. 10,932 new cases were diagnosed in men, 4,332 in women. While the number of throat cancers is falling in men, it is rising in women.
This trend is linked in particular to trends in smoking, which is on the rise among women.
Throat cancers most often occur between the ages of 50 and 64, but some, such as HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancers, appear in younger patients in good general health and who do not consume alcohol or tobacco. HPV-induced throat cancers are on the increase, affecting both men and women. These cancers tend to be diagnosed in two age groups: between 30 and 40, and between 60 and 70.
All mobilized: symptoms and warning signs
If they last more than 3 weeks, certain symptoms (sore tongue or throat, red or white spots in the mouth, hoarseness, painful swallowing, lump in the neck, blocked nose or bloody nose...) should prompt a consultation with your GP, who will refer you to an ENT or maxillofacial specialist. The purpose of this specialized consultation is to carry out a complete examination of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT). It should be organized rapidly (within 15 days), if possible directly by the GP, so as not to delay the implementation of treatment.
The "Rouge-Gorge" campaign
The SFCCF and SFORL are launching the "Rouge-Gorge" campaign to raise awareness of throat cancers and how to deal with them.
The initiative is supported by the MSD and Merck pharmaceutical laboratories, and by various institutional, logistical and financial partners (Unicancer, La Ligue contre le cancer, and other learned societies: SFRO, Gortec, Colib, SFCMF, etc.), as well as the CORASSO patient association.
The aim of the campaign is to inform the general public and healthcare professionals about risk factors, warning signs, treatments and promising future prospects for the prevention and management of throat cancers.
The campaign will be visible in the press, on television and radio, as well as on social networks and in the hospitals involved.
Focus on the Centre Baclesse's actions
"When detected early, cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract can be cured in 90% of cases. Unfortunately, today 70% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Let's take action to ensure early treatment."
– Dr. Audrey RAMBEAU, Head of the Multidisciplinary Consultation Unit (UCP) for the upper aerodigestive tract and medical oncologist at the Baclesse Center
The Centre Baclesse is committed to the "Rouge-Gorge" campaign and is implementing several actions:
- Free screening consultations by professionals from the Centre Baclesse.
Registrations are managed by healthcare professionals in the various health centers concerned.- Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the Gacé health center - by Dr. LASNE-CARDON ENT surgeon
- Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Clos Herbert medical practice in Caen - by Dr LASNE-CARDON
- Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the François Digard health center in Saint-Lô - by surgeons Dr. DE LA LOSA and Dr. DROUET
- Information and prevention stand on cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (VADS)for the general public, hosted by the Corasso patient association
- Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 10am to 5pm, in the entrance hall of the Centre Baclesse
- Communication campaign on Facebook and Instagram social networks
"It is very important to communicate about symptoms and to seek medical advice as soon as any of them persist for more than three weeks. At Baclesse, we take screening very seriously and, of course, we care for patients from diagnosis through to post-cancer, offering comprehensive care at the cutting edge of research and therapeutic innovation. I would like to emphasize that it is also essential to talk about vaccination. HPV-induced cancers are among the only ones for which a preventive vaccine exists. I urge everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. The vaccine is a decisive weapon in the fight against cancer." – says Prof. Roman ROUZIER, Director General of the Baclesse Center.
