Tobacco and alcohol consumption are said to be the leading causes behind the growing number of head and neck cancer cases in India, posing a 35-times higher risk. According to experts, these cancers mainly affect anatomical sub-sites such as the tongue, mouth, pharynx, salivary glands, and larynx.
Dr. Mudit Agarwal from Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre highlighted that “India is considered the head and neck cancer capital of the world.” He explained that these cancers account for about 17% of all newly diagnosed cases in India, with mouth cancer being the most common among males due to prevalent tobacco consumption in regions like Northern India.
Dr. Ashish Gupta, the Chief Oncologist at Unique Hospital Cancer Centre in Delhi, pointed out that in India, head and neck cancers make up 27.5% of all cancer cases as compared to 4% in Western countries. He emphasized that these cancers are more common in males and are the fourth highest in incidence among females, attributing the rise to changing lifestyles and addiction to tobacco and alcohol.
The experts further identified tobacco, alcohol, areca nut (pan masala), and dietary malnutrition as common factors leading to head and neck cancers in India. Dr. Ashish stated that heavy users of these substances face a 35-fold higher risk of developing these cancers. Unfortunately, a majority of patients in India seek medical attention only at advanced stages, leading to more invasive and disfiguring treatments.
Despite the challenges, advancements in medical technology such as jaw reconstruction surgery and facial reanimation techniques are improving patient rehabilitation. Dr. Mudit emphasized the shift towards holistic treatment approaches that focus not only on curing the cancer but also on enhancing the quality of life for patients post-treatment.
