Gurugram, Aug 23 Oral cancer often begins with subtle signs that are easy to miss but important not to ignore. A sore that does not heal, an unusual patch in the mouth, or a wound that persists beyond two weeks may seem minor at first but can be early warning indicators of a serious condition. Through its new awareness campaign, ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’, Medanta, one of the largest private multi-specialty tertiary and quaternary care providers in India, seeks to help people recognise these signs early and encourage timely medical consultation before they are dismissed or delayed.
Around 1.4 lakh people per year -- which is almost 400 people per day -- are diagnosed with oral cancer in India. The ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ campaign highlights key risk factors associated with this condition, including chewing tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption, as well as concerns such as poor oral hygiene, oral pre-cancerous lesions, sharp teeth and ill-fitting dentures.
Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman & Managing Director, Medanta Gurugram, said, “Healthcare institutions have an important role to play in making health conversations part of everyday life. A sore or ulcer in the mouth that persists for two weeks or more can sometimes be a sign of a serious underlying condition. With ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’, our intent is to make people more aware of health risks and reach out to doctors in case of wounds that do not heal. When people feel comfortable asking questions, seeking advice and acting before a condition advances, we strengthen not just individual outcomes but the health of communities.”
As part of the initiative, Medanta set up an interactive Oral Cancer Awareness Zone at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, featuring educative material to help people understand their stage of risk. The campaign was inaugurated by Mr. Pankaj Sahni, Group CEO and Director, Medanta along with Medanta Gurugram’s Oncology team on 22nd August 2026. The campaign will be amplified at Medanta’s Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Indore and Noida units in the coming days.
In addition, mobile information vans will travel across high-footfall public spaces, carrying the campaign message and encouraging people to learn about the risk factors associated with oral cancer. In addition, Oral Cancer Awareness Zones will also be set up at select locations, including PSUs and corporate offices. Through these on-ground interventions, Medanta aims to move the conversation around oral cancer from awareness to active recognition and timely action.
Dr. Deepak Sarin, Chairman, Head & Neck Onco Surgery, Cancer Care at Medanta Gurugram, said, “Oral cancer is often not detected till late because early warning signs are easily ignored. At Medanta, we see every day how early action can change outcomes, reduce treatment burden, and preserve quality of life. ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ is an effort to simplify what people need to look for. This campaign is about making that first step easier—because no one should lose time waiting when timely care can make all the difference.”
At the heart of the initiative is the S.M.I.L.E. Check, a simple mnemonic designed to make potential warning signs easier to recognise and remember: S for sores and ulcers that don’t heal, M for mouth patches that may appear white or red, I for ill-fitting dentures, L for loose teeth, and E for difficulty in eating. The campaign reinforces this through the ‘2-Week Rule’, which states that if a patch, ulcer, or sore in the mouth persists for more than 14 days, it should not be ignored and must be evaluated by a specialist. Together, these messages aim to address a key challenge in oral cancer awareness—helping people recognise when an apparently small change in the mouth actually warrants medical attention.
Medanta also launched a digital film and a doctor-led informative video about oral cancer on social media platforms, highlighting the importance of recognising changes in the mouth and not waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking medical advice.
At Medanta, oral cancer care follows a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together ENT and Head & Neck Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Dental Practitioners, Nutritionists, and Rehabilitation and Restorative Specialists. This integrated approach supports personalised treatment while addressing different aspects of care including speech, functionality and long-term wellness.
‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ builds on Medanta’s previous cancer awareness campaigns, which focused on promoting prevention, early detection and timely action, including initiatives highlighting breast and prostate cancer. Medanta has a dedicated helpline number 88-0000-1068 which enables people to seek medical guidance and connect with exceptional super specialists across Medanta's network of hospitals in Gurugram, Lucknow, Patna, Indore, Noida and Ranchi.