Oral Cancer and Chewing Habits

Oral cancer (OC) is highly prevalent worldwide with significant mortality and morbidity. An individual inflicted by this disease may experience devastating consequences such as disfiguring of the face after surgery and possibly an inability to take food through the oral cavity and disruption of normal speech. Smoking, alternate chewing habits, and alcohol are major risk factors. Other factors include high-risk HPV, diet, oral hygiene, and socioeconomic status. In the West, cigarette smoking and alcohol are the key risk factors. Betel quid (areca nut; major component) and its related products are chewed commonly in many parts of the world, being most prevalent in the Asian continent. More than 600 million people are known to chew betel quid worldwide. Unlike tobacco smoking, betel quid is culturally well accepted and openly consumed by all strata of society. Other commercially distributed products include gutka and naswar which almost always contain a significant component of chewable tobacco and are easily available and consumed widely by both adults and children. On the face of such high burden of OC, there is an urgent need to implement control on these products. Screening methods may also be implemented for high-risk populations, keeping in mind the cost and resources involved.