Medanta Lucknow Launches ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ Oral Cancer Awareness Campaign

Lucknow : Medanta Lucknow launched a dedicated oral cancer awareness campaign titled ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ on August 27, 2026. Designed to address the high incidence of oral cancer in India—where nearly 1.4 lakh individuals are diagnosed annually—the campaign encourages early recognition of warning signs and prompt medical intervention.

The initiative targets key risk factors including tobacco chewing, smoking, alcohol use, poor oral hygiene, and mechanical irritations like sharp teeth or ill-fitting dentures. To simplify self-assessment, Medanta introduced two core tools:

The S.M.I.L.E. Mnemonic:

• S: Sores and ulcers that do not heal.
• M: Mouth patches appearing white or red.
• I: Ill-fitting dentures causing irritation.
• L: Loose teeth without clear dental causes.
• E: Difficulty in Eating or swallowing.

The 2-Week Rule: Any sore, patch, or wound persisting in the mouth for more than 14 days requires evaluation by a specialist.

Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director of Medanta Gurugram, emphasized that public health relies on normalizing conversations around early symptoms. Dr. Rakesh Kapoor, Medical Director at Medanta Lucknow, and Dr. Vivekanand Singh, Director of Head & Neck Onco Surgery, highlighted that early detection significantly reduces the treatment burden while improving long-term quality of life.

As part of the launch, an interactive Oral Cancer Awareness Zone was unveiled at Medanta Lucknow alongside digital educational films across social media platforms. The hospital provides integrated, multidisciplinary care spanning surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, supported by dental, nutritional, and restorative rehabilitation specialists.