`Tobacco's a Killer'
by DR. VIKRAM KEKATPURE,
An alarming 30% of the Indian
population use some form of tobacco. Two days from now, when everyone takes a
pledge to fight this addiction, we should focus on the young and the stressed.
Worldwide, it is estimated that
about a billion humans consume tobacco products. Considering the same, the
Indian situation is alarming. Thirty five crore Indians (nearly 30% of the
population) use some form of tobacco mostly in the form of gutkha, khaini,
quid, etc.
The habit of chewing tobacco is rampant across all social classes and
as a result, India has a dubious distinction of being the world capital of
tobacco-related oral as well as head and neck cancers. About 10 lac Indians die
due to tobacco related illness and one death is reported every 6 hours due to
oral cancer.
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| DR. VIKRAM KEKATPURE, |
Tobacco brings with it a plethora
of health problems and there is no organ system that cannot be affected by
tobacco. A few ailments caused by tobacco are cardiovascular diseases,
neurological problems, respiratory disease and predisposition to cancer in
almost all parts of the body .
There is a need to create
awareness and strengthen effort to reduce the burden of tobacco-related health
issues. May 31 is designated as World No Tobacco Day by the World Health
Organization (WHO).
Various governmental and social
organizations have been leading efforts for tobacco control in India.
Despite this, there is large pool
of tobacco users in India .
The most common reason for people
to take to tobacco is peer pressure. Youngsters, especially teenagers, take to
this habit in order to fit in or win admiration; they are usually targeted by
savvy marketing campaigns by tobacco companies.
Once they are hooked, it is very
difficult to stop unless they want to quit. The average age of tobacco
initiation is less than 18 years and counselling for these youngsters is vital.
The government should stringently implement the ban on tobacco products near
schools and colleges, with heavy penalties for under age selling.
EARLY DETECTION &
PREVENTION..!
Oral cancer is one of the easiest
cancers to diagnose as oral cavity is an assessable part of body sessable part of body.
A simple oral
examination is sufficient to detect the tumour, but the cure rate reduces to
less than 50% as the disease advances, which is a major challenge.
Oral cancer outreach programmes to
improve awareness, early detection and surveillance are beneficial.
Awareness talks, oral cancer
screening camps, poster presentations and street plays for villagers, factory
workers and in public places also help.
Persistent communication with
primary health providers and tertiary cancer centres are essential to improve
patient referral and it can potentially impact early detection of cancers.
There is need to develop tobacco
cessation clinics in India and gen eral physicians should be encour aged to
send all smokers and chewers for counselling and cessation supports.
CANCER TREATMENT...!
Cancer is a stub born disease and
is difficult to tame; how ever, it is not impossible to treat.
Science has enabled doc tors to
find better methods of cure for the vicious disease.
The current stand ard treatment
for cancer is teamwork requiring a multi disciplinary ap proach, and the in
puts for various specialists like head and neck sur geons, radiation on
cologists, medical on cologists, reconstructive surgeons, pathologists,
radiologists and speech and swallow therapists are needed for effective
management of oral cancer.
The recent advances in complex
resections and reconstructions, newer chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation
techniques have improved the cure rates which have also helped in reducing the
associated functional and cosmetic morbidity.
Newer treatments continue to
evolve, but we have certainly come a long way in our understanding the nature
of the disease. -
About the author..
The writer
|
is Senior
Consultant - Head and Neck Oncology, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center, Narayana
Health City, Bengaluru
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| Biography | : | Dr. Vikram D. Kekatpure, MS, MCh, Senior Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon trained at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. He has done his res fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering cancer center, which is the premier cancer center in the world and Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA, He has served as faculty at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. He is visiting fellow at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA. Dr Vikram has a keen interest in academic activities and research and has several publications in peer reviewed journals to his credit. He has strong interests in translational research, with emphasis on early detection and prevention of cancer. His research is directed towards biomarker based risk stratification and development of personalized cancer therapies. This risk stratification helps personalize cancer treatment for improved survival and reduce treatment associated side effects. |
| Special Interest | : | - Oral Cancer - Laryngeal Cancer - Reconstructive surgery - Translational Research - Thyroid Cancer |
| Current Appointment | : | Senior Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon |
| Education | : | • 1998 - MBBS, Nagpur University • 2003 - MS (Otolaryngology) , Nagpur University • 2007 - MCh (Head and Neck Surgery) Amrita University • 2007 – Res Fellowship Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York USA |
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