BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : On the eve of World Cancer Day, health experts have claimed that close to 90 per cent of oral cancers can be prevented if the Government bans chewing tobacco, which is being sold rampantly in twin packs.

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, Deputy Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says, “Government needs to address the issue of Pan Masala that continues to be brazenly advertised and sold despite being carcinogenic. Similarly, a central alcohol control policy is the need of the hour.”

“There are many cancers which occur due to various reasons, but oral cancers are mainly due to tobacco. Therefore, more and more campaigns need to be designed focusing on prevention,” he added.

Mr Sanjay Seth, Trustee, Sambandh Health Foundation, said, “State Governments are taking great initiatives by implementing campaigns such as ‘Pledge for Life – Tobacco Free Youth’, which aims at stopping initiation of highly addictive tobacco products. Such landmark steps by the Governments will bring the preventable cancers down drastically in the coming years.”

Top cancers in men are oral cavity, lung, throat and oesophagus. Cancers of oral cavity and lungs account for over 25% of cancer deaths in males and cancer of breast and oral cavity account for 25% cancers in females. These cancers can be prevented, screened for and/or detected early and treated at an early stage.

Oral cancers can be diagnosed by symptoms like throat pain, long-standing ulcers in mouth, change in voice and difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Self-examination of the oral cavity regularly is advised for people who consume tobacco.