Gurugram: Medanta, one of India’s largest private multi-specialty tertiary and quaternary care providers, has launched ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’, an oral cancer awareness campaign aimed at encouraging people to recognise potential warning signs, understand associated risk factors and seek timely medical advice.
Oral cancer can begin with symptoms that may appear minor, including a sore or ulcer that does not heal, unusual patches in the mouth or wounds that persist for more than two weeks. The campaign seeks to highlight the importance of recognising such signs rather than delaying medical consultation.
According to the campaign communication, around 1.4 lakh people in India are diagnosed with oral cancer every year, translating to nearly 400 cases a day. ‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ highlights key risk factors associated with oral cancer, including chewing tobacco, smoking and alcohol consumption, along with 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 has set up an Interactive Oral Cancer Awareness Zone at Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram, featuring educational material to help visitors understand their level of risk. The campaign was inaugurated on August 22, 2026, by Pankaj Sahni, Group CEO and Director, Medanta, along with the oncology team at Medanta Gurugram.
The campaign is set to be amplified across Medanta’s units in Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, Indore and Noida in the coming days. Mobile information vans will also travel across high-footfall public spaces to take the campaign message to wider audiences. In addition, Oral Cancer Awareness Zones will be established at select locations, including PSUs and corporate offices.
A key component of the campaign is the S.M.I.L.E. Check, a mnemonic designed to help people remember potential warning signs. The letters stand for S for sores and ulcers that do not 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 also reinforces a ‘2-Week Rule’, encouraging people to seek specialist evaluation if a patch, ulcer or sore in the mouth persists for more than 14 days. Through these simple cues, Medanta aims to encourage earlier recognition of symptoms and timely medical intervention.
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.”
The awareness initiative is also being supported by a digital film and a doctor-led informative video across social media platforms. The content focuses on recognising changes in the mouth and encouraging individuals to seek medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms to become severe.
Medanta said its oral cancer care follows a multidisciplinary approach involving ENT and Head & Neck Surgeons, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Dental Practitioners, Nutritionists, and Rehabilitation and Restorative Specialists. The integrated approach is designed to support personalised treatment while addressing aspects such as speech, functionality and long-term wellness.
‘Taalo Mat Pehchaano’ builds on Medanta’s earlier cancer awareness initiatives focused on prevention, early detection and timely action, including campaigns around breast and prostate cancer.
As part of its outreach, Medanta has also provided a dedicated helpline at 88-0000-1068, enabling individuals to seek medical guidance and connect with specialists across its hospital network in Gurugram, Lucknow, Patna, Indore, Noida and Ranchi.
