Effects of smoking on health: Smoking also increases our chances of developing heart disease and chronic respiratory conditions. About 50 percent of all cancer deaths are due to tobacco use. Oral cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in India, where it accounts for 30 percent of all cancer cases. According to a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 90 per cent of oral cancer cases in India are due to tobacco consumption.
How does smoking cause cancer?
Smoking causes oral cancer by exposure to harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrosamines and benzene, in the tissues of the mouth. These chemicals can damage the DNA in the cells lining the mouth, eventually turning these normal cells into malignant cells. Symptoms of oral cancer include mouth ulcers that do not heal, pain in the mouth and ears, difficulty swallowing, lumps in the neck, and white or red patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth.
prevent oral cancer by quitting smoking
To prevent oral cancer, individuals should maintain good oral hygiene, quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Quitting smoking and oral tobacco is the best way to reduce your risk of oral cancer. Additionally, tobacco cessation can have important benefits for a person’s overall health, such as improved lung function, and a decreased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Advanced oral cancer can be a challenge to treat, so early detection is important to increase your chances of a successful outcome. Treatment options for oral cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In the last few years many advances have been made in this area. Minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery, targeted radiation and chemotherapy drugs can now treat these cancers with negligible impact on quality of life. Preservation of function and aesthetics has become the mantra for developing new strategies.
In some cases, a combination of these treatments may be used to achieve the best possible results. In addition, one can quit smoking with the help of resources containing nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum and patches, which help reduce withdrawal symptoms. Counseling and support groups may also be beneficial for those trying to quit smoking.
Prevention is the best strategy. Quitting tobacco use will eliminate most oral cancers. There is no other disease that has such a clear strategy for prevention. Your health is your priority and now is the time to stop smoking.