Taalo Mat Pehchaano Campaign Highlights Early Oral Cancer Warning Signs in India

Medanta introduces the S.M.I.L.E. Check and 2 Week Rule as the campaign encourages people to recognise persistent mouth changes and seek timely medical advice

Medanta has launched Taalo Mat Pehchaano, an oral cancer awareness campaign aimed at helping people identify potential warning signs, understand risk factors and seek timely medical advice.
The campaign draws attention to changes in the mouth that may initially appear minor but could require medical evaluation. These include sores that do not heal, unusual white or red patches and wounds that persist beyond two weeks.
Around 1.4 lakh people are diagnosed with oral cancer in India every year, equivalent to almost 400 diagnoses each day, according to information shared by Medanta.
Taalo Mat Pehchaano also highlights risk factors associated with oral cancer, including chewing tobacco, smoking and alcohol consumption. Other concerns covered by the campaign include poor oral hygiene, oral precancerous lesions, sharp teeth and ill fitting dentures.

“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,” said Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chairman and Managing Director, Medanta Gurugram.
“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,” Dr. Trehan added.
As part of the campaign, Medanta established an interactive Oral Cancer Awareness Zone at Medanta The Medicity in Gurugram. The zone contains educational material intended to help visitors understand their level of risk.

The campaign was inaugurated on August 22 by Pankaj Sahni, Group CEO and Director, Medanta, along with the Oncology team at Medanta Gurugram.
Medanta plans to extend the campaign to its Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Indore and Noida units.
Mobile information vans will also travel through public spaces with high footfall to provide information about oral cancer risk factors. Additional Oral Cancer Awareness Zones are planned at select locations, including PSUs and corporate offices.
A central component of the initiative is the S.M.I.L.E. Check, a mnemonic created to make potential oral cancer warning signs easier to remember.
Under the S.M.I.L.E. Check, S refers to sores and ulcers that do not heal, M refers to white or red mouth patches, I refers to ill fitting dentures, L refers to loose teeth and E refers to difficulty in eating.

The campaign also introduces the 2 Week Rule, which advises that a patch, ulcer or sore in the mouth that remains for more than 14 days should not be ignored and should be evaluated by a specialist.
“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,” said Dr. Deepak Sarin, Chairman, Head and Neck Onco Surgery, Cancer Care at Medanta Gurugram.
“‘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,” Dr. Sarin added.

Medanta has also released a digital film and a doctor led informational video about oral cancer for social media. The content focuses on recognising changes in the mouth and seeking medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
Oral cancer care at Medanta follows a multidisciplinary approach involving ENT and Head and Neck Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Dental Practitioners, Nutritionists, and Rehabilitation and Restorative Specialists.
The campaign follows Medanta’s previous cancer awareness initiatives focused on prevention, early detection and timely action, including campaigns addressing breast and prostate cancer.
Medanta has also provided a dedicated helpline, 88 0000 1068, for people seeking medical guidance across its hospital network in Gurugram, Lucknow, Patna, Indore, Noida and Ranchi.

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