Red and Gray May: Santarém Regional guides on mouth and brain cancer

During the month of May, the oncology sector of the Dr. Waldemar Penna Regional Hospital of Baixo Amazonas, in Santarém, western Pará, was the stage for the Red May and Gray May campaigns, which raise awareness about mouth cancer and brain cancer, respectively. Doctors Débora Pereira and Camila Silva addressed the prevention and combat of both types of disease with patients and companions.

"For us, this moment of information is important. That’s why we carry out campaigns every month. Here, we address interesting topics not only for our users but that they can share with friends and family. Thus, HRBA reinforces its commitment to promoting health in our society," highlighted the hospital's general director, Matheus Coutinho.

Mouth cancer is a malignant tumor that affects the lips and structures of the mouth, such as gums, cheeks, roof of the mouth, tongue (mainly the edges), and the area under the tongue. According to the Ministry of Health, it is the fifth most common tumor in men in Brazil and is usually diagnosed at advanced stages, which makes treatment and cure of the disease difficult.

"It is a cancer that needs to be identified early, in a timely manner. It usually appears as sores that do not heal for more than two weeks, red or white lesions. The main risk factors are smoking and drinking habits, especially when associated, which increases the chance of the disease. But we also have HPV virus infection, poor dental hygiene, poorly adjusted dentures, and chewing tobacco. These are situations we need to avoid," explained head and neck surgeon, Débora Pereira.

On the other hand, brain cancer is a rarer disease characterized by the abnormal growth of cells within the skull that can lead to compression and damage to normal brain cells.

However, the National Cancer Institute projects that 11,000 new cases of cancer in the Central Nervous System arise each year in Brazil. With difficult diagnosis, symptoms need to be taken as a warning for the rapid onset of treatment.

"It is a tumor that leaves many sequelae and harms the quality of life of patients. We have only 2% of cases related to hereditary genetic syndromes. The rest are of undefined causes, unfortunately. That unusual headache, loss of balance, mental confusion, convulsive crises, cognitive and behavioral changes. These signs are important and may be related to brain cancer. Therefore, it is always important to seek a doctor in such cases," emphasized oncologist Camila Silva.

Roseli Marize Kobs, 48 years old, is a native of the municipality of Placas and has been an oncology patient at HRBA for ten years and is currently being monitored by the unit's professionals. She attended the lecture and approved this moment of information.

"Very good. There are many people who do not have this explanation and this helps a lot. Many people are afraid to seek a professional and this moment often helps to take that step," she stated.

Service: The Dr. Waldemar Penna Regional Hospital of Baixo Amazonas is a reference in medium and high complexity for a population of 1.4 million inhabitants, residing in 29 municipalities in the region, and provides 100% referenced service, meeting the demand originating from the State Regulation Center.

The unit, belonging to the Government of Pará, is managed by the Social Institute Mais Saúde, in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa). The Hospital is located at Avenida Sérgio Henn, No. 1,100, Diamantino neighborhood, in Santarém.