Jonty Rhodes Joins Awareness Initiative as SSO Cancer Hospitals Launches Dedicated Head & Neck Cancer Centre Of Excellence To Transform Cancer Care in India
Mumbai – SSO Cancer Hospitals has opened its dedicated Head & Neck Cancer Centre of Excellence, integrating specialised Head & Neck oncology knowledge, sophisticated surgery, reconstruction, interdisciplinary treatment, research and education on one integrated platform. The Centre was formally inaugurated in the presence of Jonty Rhodes, Former South African Cricketer and the Hospital’s Brand Ambassador, alongside esteemed clinicians, patients, and caregivers.
SSO Cancer Hospitals will treat various cancers in the mouth, tongue, voice box, thyroid, salivary glands, skull base, and other complex areas. By creating a clear patient pathway, the Centre ensures each person gets a personalized care plan, reducing delays and improving recovery outcomes. Focusing on advanced surgery and the latest medical research, the Head & Neck Cancer Centre of Excellence aims to treat and educate patients and healthcare professionals. It will provide specialized facilities and resources to promote innovation in cancer care, helping in the global fight against cancer.
India carries a serious and largely preventable burden of these cancers. In a year 2023 analysis of 37 population-based cancer registries found that head and neck cancers represented about 26% of cancers among men and 8% among women; the estimated lifetime risk was one in 33 for men and one in 107 for women. Separately, in a year 2026 peer-reviewed analysis of GLOBOCAN 2022 data reported 143,759 new lip and oral-cavity cancer cases and 79,979 deaths in India. Tobacco and areca-nut use were linked to an estimated 70%–80% of cases, underlining the urgent need for prevention, screening and timely specialist referral.
The Centre has a skilled team of Head & Neck surgical oncologists with over 100,000 successful surgeries combined. The program focuses on cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, thyroid, salivary glands, skull base, and other complex areas. This teamwork helps specialists discuss tough cases, create clear treatment plans, and coordinate care, making it easier for patients and families to navigate the services.
Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Lead Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist at SSO Cancer Hospitals, said, “Our focus extends beyond removing the tumour to helping patients return to normal life. Head and neck cancer treatment can affect a person’s ability to speak, swallow, eat and breathe, as well as their appearance and confidence. Wherever clinically appropriate, we will use organ-preserving approaches, robotic and minimally invasive procedures, skull-base surgery and jaw reconstruction. Complex cases will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, with speech, swallowing and nutritional support included early in the treatment plan.”
Dr. Chakraborty added, “We want the Centre to advance the entire speciality by creating a platform where difficult cases are discussed, outcomes are measured, young surgeons are trained, research is generated and knowledge is shared. Its academic programme will include live surgical demonstrations, fellowships, observer programmes, continuing medical education, case discussions, webinars and masterclasses. We sincerely thank Jonty Rhodes for joining our awareness initiative and lending his influential voice to the fight against head and neck cancer in India.”
Jonty Rhodes, Former South African Cricketer and the Hospital’s Brand Ambassador, said “India has become a second home for me, as I spend nearly five months of the year here with my family. When you spend that much time in a country, you become more connected to the people and more aware of the health challenges around you.While cancer has not personally affected my immediate family, we all know that cancer is becoming increasingly common, and our changing lifestyles can contribute to the risk. For me, supporting cancer awareness is about encouraging people to be more conscious about their health, understand the risks and know that there are options available. Greater awareness can encourage people to seek medical advice at the right time and make informed decisions about their health.”.”
Mr. Rahul Kishore Singh, Chief Business Officer at SSO Cancer Hospitals, said, “The Head & Neck Cancer Centre of Excellence is the first of many we plan at SSO. It shows our long-term dedication to specialized, patient-focused cancer care. Head & Neck cancers are very common in our country, but many patients get specialized care too late. We aim to combine expert care, advanced technology, research, and awareness in one place. This isn’t just a new area in the hospital; it is a promise to improve Head & Neck cancer care.”
The Centre will develop a pan-India referral network connecting family doctors, dentists, ear, nose and throat specialists, maxillofacial and plastic surgeons, oncologists and hospitals with its multidisciplinary team. A digital platform will support patient education, referrals, clinical resources, training and research updates. SSO Cancer Hospitals also aims to build a professional community that can share knowledge, discuss complex cases and mentor younger specialists. As the first of several planned disease-specific Centres of Excellence, the initiative reflects SSO’s commitment to making coordinated, affordable and evidence-led cancer care more accessible, while moving useful learning from research and training into everyday clinical practice.
SSO Cancer Hospitals is committed to a vision where world-class cancer care is accessible and streamlined, reinforcing its position as a leader in the oncology space. The launch of this Centre demonstrates the hospital’s dedication to empowering patients and families facing the challenging realities of head and neck cancers.
