New Delhi (NVI): World Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 every year and it tries to educate people on the dangers of using tobacco and the industry tactics which are now luring youth to hook them to addictive products.
The theme for the World No Tobacco Day 2020 is #TobaccoExposed. On the occasion, experts have urged people, especially youth, to quit tobacco and nicotine in all forms and do not allow these life-threatening habits to swipe out youthfulness.
The experts have urged the young generation to come forward to derail the tobacco industry’s aggressive and well-resourced tactics to attract youth to tobacco and nicotine products. They have said that youths need to stand up against the tobacco industries’ systematic and aggressive strategies to attract a new generation of tobacco users. No Tobacco Day will provide a counter-marketing campaign and empower young people to engage in the fight against Big Tobacco, they said.
On its part, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged influencers – in pop culture, on social media, in the home, or in the classroom – who reach and connect with youth to expose the industries’ manipulative tactics to create a new generation of tobacco users.
Amid COVID-19 pandemic, those who are addicted to tobacco or smoking are at a very high risk as the oral cancer screening has taken a hit and not being done as earlier due to high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity.
Life is a roller coaster ride once the patient is diagnosed with cancer, has its multitude of implications on the patient and family, physically, financially and emotionally. It spares no one, young or old.
India has one-third of oral cancer cases in the world, according to a report. Oral cancer accounts for around 30% of all cancers in the country. Every year 1.19 lakh new cases are registered which indicates its severity. Over 72,000 deaths are caused by it. People who smoke or consume tobacco in any form are at higher risk for oral and lung cancers.
One can take an active role in detecting oral cancer early, should it occur, by conducting a self-exam at least once a month and see the dentist/doctor on a regular schedule. But COVID-19 has come as a setback for early screening.
“Screening or early detection, and time detection are the keys to combating cancers. Amid COVID-19 people, who are addicted to tobacco or smoking, are at a very high risk as the oral cancer screening under government-run National Cancer Screening Programme has been temporarily suspended due to high risk associated with the examination of the oral cavity as saliva is high in Sars-Cov- 2load that causes coronavirus disease. We can easily realize the gravity of the situation,” says Dr Surendra K Dabas, Senior Director & HOD-Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, BLK Super Specialty Hospital.
“A growth or sore in the mouth that does not go away is suspected as oral cancer. It can occur in the lips, cheeks, tongue, hard & soft palate, and pharynx (throat). Oral cancers can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Oral Cancer is diagnosed by clinical examination and a biopsy may be needed to determine the makeup of a suspicious-looking area and requires further radiological evaluation before treatment commences,” said Dr Ashwani Sharma, Associate Director, Surgical Oncology, BLK Super Specialty Hospital in Delhi.
“Oral cancer is treated the same way many other cancers are treated – with surgery to remove the cancerous growth, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, if required, to destroy any remaining cancer cells,” Dr Dabas added.
Risk factors for the development of oral cancer include smoking, consumption of tobacco such as Gutkha and Pan masala, infections such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) among others. According to experts, the overall 5-year survival rate for patients with an early diagnosis of oral cavity and pharynx cancers is around 75-80%. If cancer has spread to nearby tissues, organs, or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate drops to 55-60%.
To prevent oral cancer, experts strongly recommend youth to start a quit tobacco journey and avoid it in any form. Eating a well-balanced diet, limit exposure to environmental carcinogens and pollutants, and regular exercise would help a lot maintaining youthfulness. Experts also urged the youth to enhance their resolve to fail the tobacco industry’s strong strategies to attract them for the use of tobacco or smoking.
