Tobacco's Toll: Rising Head and Neck Cancers in India

What is causing the rise in head and neck cancers in India? Increased tobacco and alcohol consumption are major contributors to the surge.

Highlights:

Tobacco and related products are primary causes of head and neck cancers in India
Strict regulations on tobacco and alcohol can significantly reduce cancer cases
Public awareness and behavioral change are crucial for effective cancer prevention

Increased consumption of tobacco and associated products is causing the rise in head and neck cancer in India. Malignancies of the tongue, mouth, and other sections of the pharynx, such as the oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, and larynx (voice box), are all examples of head and neck malignancies ().

Head and Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers usually occur in the squamous cells lining the moist, mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck.

‘Did You Know?
India accounts for 30% of all head and neck cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common cancer type in the country. #cancerprevention #health #medindia’

Causes of Head and Neck Cancers

"The most common causes of oral cavity malignancies include tobacco and tobacco-related products (), betel nuts, smoking, and alcohol. Pritam Kataria, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, said that HPV infections might also contribute to it.

To reduce head and neck cancers, the expert advocated for "strict regulations on tobacco and tobacco-related products, as well as alcohol consumption."

Why Head and Neck Cancers Are Rising Among Young Indians
Increased tobacco and alcohol use, and HPV infections are major contributors to the growing incidence of head and neck cancers in India.

Ban Tobacco and Alcohol to Reduce the Incidence of Head and Neck Cancers

"If tobacco and associated products are banned, the majority of head and neck cancer cases will be reduced in the end. That's a significant challenge, because raising public awareness and modifying behaviour are two of the most challenging components of Cancer prevention," Pritam added.

India Accounts for 57.5% of Head and Neck Cancer Cases in Asia
World Head and Neck Cancer Day sheds light on the increasing burden of head and neck cancers in India, that accounts for 57.5% of the cases in Asia.

Cancer Prevalence in India

Head and neck cancer is the most frequent cancer in India, accounting for 30% of all cancer cases, and the country has a bigger incidence than the US, UK, Australia, Africa, and Brazil combined ().

Cancer cases in India are on the rise. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, there will be 2.1 million additional cancer cases in India by 2040, a 57.5% rise over 2020.

Smoking and HPV: A Deadly Combination for Head and Neck Cancer
A recent study discusses how smoking and human papillomavirus (HPV) together can increase the risk of head and neck cancer.

Prevention of Head and Neck Cancer

To address the issue, Prathmesh Pai, Director and Surgeon at Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Head and Neck Cancer Institute of India, emphasized the importance of raising public knowledge about the dangers of tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol.

"Engage the parents and schools to prevent the adoption of these habits by the youth, public campaigns to ban the sale of tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol to the youth, ban production and sale of tobacco, betel nut, and alcohol," said Prathmesh Pai.

References:

Head and neck cancer: Current challenges and future perspectives - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34353444/)
Tobacco-related carcinogenesis in head and neck cancer - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28801840/)
Head and neck cancer burden in India: an analysis from published data of 37 population-based cancer registries - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37799939/)

Source-Medindia