Although tobacco use has long been recognized as a serious health risk, less is known about how it affects oral health, particularly about its link to oral cancer. Oral cancer cases are concerningly increasing in India, where tobacco use is pervasive across all age groups and forms. How the length of tobacco use impacts the beginning of oral cancer is one important subject that researchers and medical experts are investigating.
Source: onlymyhealth
Tobacco Use in India: A Deep-Rooted Habit.
India's tobacco consumption is distinct in that it encompasses both smokeless and smoked forms, such as betel quid, gutka, and khaini. Cigarette usage has somewhat decreased in urban areas, but it is still high in rural areas, particularly among teenagers and young people.
Surprisingly, more than half of Indian tobacco users begin using tobacco throughout their youth, which means they have had a lengthy exposure period before reaching maturity.
Duration Matters: How Long-Term Use Elevates Risk
Numerous studies have found a dose-response connection between tobacco use and mouth cancer. This implies that your risk of getting cancer increases with the length of time you consume tobacco.
Research indicates that 15–24 years of tobacco use is typical among Indian patients diagnosed with oral cancer.
Smokeless tobacco users experience a 1.8 to 5.8 times higher risk of acquiring oral cancer compared to non-users.
Some studies have found that users of smokeless tobacco are over 18 times more likely to develop oral cancer than those who do not use it at all.
It's not just the type of tobacco that matters—but how long it's used.
Which Forms of Tobacco Are Most Dangerous?
While all tobacco products are bad, some are more likely to cause mouth cancer than others:
Because it comes into direct and extended contact with the oral mucosa, smokeless tobacco, like gutka and khaini, is more dangerous.
Chewing betel quid raises the risk of oral cancer considerably with increased frequency and length of usage, particularly when paired with tobacco.
In comparison to ordinary cigarettes, bidi smoking, which is popular in India, is associated with an increased risk of gum and oral malignancies.
Early Warning Signs of Oral Cancer
Treatment results are significantly improved when oral cancer is detected early. Check out for these signs and symptoms:
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Chronic ulcers or mouth sores
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White or red spots in the mouth
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Unidentified tumors in the neck or jaw
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Speaking, swallowing, or chewing difficulties
See a doctor right once if you or someone you know uses tobacco and suffers from these symptoms.
Prevention Is Power: What Can Be Done?
India has established several tobacco control policies, including graphic warning labels on packaging, public awareness programs, and limits on sales near schools. However, additional community-based actions are needed:
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Education programs for schools and remote areas
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Tobacco quitting assistance, including helplines and counseling
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Regular dental screenings for high-risk patients.
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Involving local influencers and healthcare staff to raise awareness
Conclusion: The Sooner, The Better
Tobacco use may be culturally rooted, but the health effects are terrible, particularly when it comes to oral cancer. The longer you consume tobacco, the higher your risk. Fortunately, quitting tobacco, even after years of use, substantially lowers your risk of cancer and improves the quality of your life.
If you need a reason to quit, consider this: oral cancer is avoidable, and your actions today could save your life tomorrow.
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