In brief

• The campaign "Don't Lose Your Voice" concerns head and neck cancers.
• A persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and non-healing lesions on the tongue may be symptoms of cancer.
• The campaign is run by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, and the National Institute of Oncology – National Research Institute.

Symptoms not to ignore

A persistent hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and lesions on the tongue that have not healed for a long time may indicate head and neck cancer (Nie odbieraj sobie głosu – NFZ – Podkarpacki Oddział Wojewódzki). We often attribute such ailments to a cold or throat irritation and postpone the visit to a doctor. The later a diagnosis is made, the harder it is to achieve effective treatment.

The campaign of the GIS and partners

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate works here together with the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education and the National Institute of Oncology – National Research Institute. The result of their cooperation is a social campaign with the slogan "Don't Lose Your Voice" ("Nie odbieraj sobie głosu"). Its purpose is to remind people that early detection increases the chances of recovery and to encourage a medical visit at the first worrying signs.

Where to find details

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate published full information about the campaign on its website. People who notice any of the described symptoms should make an appointment with their family doctor. If necessary, the doctor will refer the patient to an otolaryngologist or an oncologist.