India’s Fight Against Oral Cancer: Powerful Steps To Cut Cases And Save Lives – News18
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According to WHO Globocan data, about one-third of world oral cancer incidence is in India, with an estimated 1.5 lakh new cases being detected
Making affordable oral cancer care is a step in treating this cancer menace and helps in motivating patients to take correct and early treatment
India is often called the “World Capital of Oral Cancer.” Oral cancer is a serious problem in India, not only affecting society but also having a significant economic blow. 70% of our oral cancer patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, and more than 50% of these patients don’t survive to see their next birthday.
According to WHO Globocan data, about one-third of world oral cancer incidence is in India, with an estimated 1.5 lakh new cases being detected. According to a study by one of the tertiary cancer care centers, the impact on health economics is huge due to oral cancer. There is a loss to India’s GDP due to premature oral cancer deaths to the tune of $5.6 billion, which is 0.18% of the country’s GDP.
The government of India has taken some strong steps to prevent oral cancer by introducing legislation like COTPA (2003). There is a national tobacco-free toll-free helpline service. A public health awareness campaign about the causes of oral cancer and national oral health policy has been introduced by GoI.
Several steps like pictorial warnings on tobacco products and bans on tobacco products like guthka have been done by national and different state governments.
Making affordable oral cancer care is a step in treating this cancer menace and helps in motivating patients to take correct and early treatment. Dr Yash Mathur, Consultant Head & Neck and Robotic OncoSurgeon, HCG Cancer Centre, Mumbai, says “Oral cancer has a good prognosis and is almost curable if treated right for the first time in the early stage. He stresses the implementation of oral cancer screening and the implementation of mouth self-examination exercises in individuals of high-risk categories with a history of habits. According to studies, it has been found that these people have benefited from early detection and subsequent treatment.”
The fight for oral cancer-free India has begun and will be successfully won with the help of the implementation of awareness and educational programs in schools and educational institutes. It’s a long-drawn battle, and every Indian has to volunteer to create awareness.
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