TOBACCO: THE MONSTER

Dr. Archana Rai*, Dr. Kailash Asawa and Dr. Ipseeta Menon

ABSTRACT

In south-central Asia, oral cancer is the most common type of cancer. In India, 20/100000 population are affected by oral cancer which accounts for about 30% of all types of cancer. More than 5 people in India die every hour every day because of oral cancer and same number of people die due to cancer in oropharynx and hypo pharynx. Cancer registration is not compulsory in India, so the true incidence and mortality can’t be measured as many cases are unrecorded and loses follow up. The low-income groups are the most affected group in India due to a wide exposure to risk factors such as tobacco chewing and insufficient exposure to newly diagnostic aids, resulting in a delay in reporting of oral cancer. Tobacco is consumed in different forms like Tobacco Squid, Pan, Gutka, smoked form. It is carcinogenic in whichever form it is consumed. If combined with alcohol, Arecanut and other environmental factors, it is more dangerous. The present review summarises the ingredients of Tobacco products and it’s carcinogenic potential. This will be helpful for new generation who can be moulded to good oral habits.

Keywords: Tobacco, Carcinogen, Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Nitrosamines, DNA adduct.