New Delhi: Oral cancer is becoming a bigger public health problem in India. New research shows that the risk factors for the disease are changing in ways that are worrying, yet it is still hard to find it early. Dr. Minish Jain, Director of Medical Oncology at Ruby Hall Clinic, says that Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is a big worry. Oral cancer is the most frequent type, especially in the northeastern districts, where the rate is as high as 31.8 per 100,000 males.
Tobacco and alcohol usage have long been the main causes of oral cancer in India, but new research shows that this is changing in a scary way. A study done in Kochi found that 57% of people with oral cancer had never smoked or drunk alcohol, which shows that other factors are becoming more important. One of the biggest new risk factors is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV-16), which has been associated to more and more oral and oropharyngeal cancers, especially in younger persons who don’t have the usual risk factors.
The problem is made worse by the fact that many cases are found at an advanced stage. Statistics suggest that 48% of oral cancer cases are found in stages III and IV, when the five-year survival rate drops to 20–30%, even with vigorous, multi-modal treatment. When identified early, on the other hand, the five-year survival rate can be above 80%.
Dr. Minish pointed out some important signs that people should look out for so they can catch them early, such as:
Red or white patches, ulcers, or sores in the mouth that don’t go away after two weeks.
A bump in the neck.
Bleeding or pain in the mouth.
Having trouble swallowing.
Pain in the throat or ears that won’t go away.
Problems with speech.
Even with the recent trends, tobacco is still the main cause of oral cancer, making up around 80% of cases, mostly in males over 40. It’s also concerning because a lot of people use smokeless tobacco products like betel quid, khaini, gutka, and zarda. These products are widely accepted in society, and their use is a major reason why more women and younger individuals are getting sick. Using both tobacco and alcohol increases the danger even more.
Dr. Minish says that Indian patients have a more aggressive form of oral cancer than Western patients. Some of the things that can make this happen are not getting enough nutrients, not taking care of your teeth, and being poor. He said that stronger public awareness efforts, stricter rules for smokeless tobacco, and more promotion of HPV vaccine are all important for lowering the incidence of this avoidable but deadly disease in India.