New Delhi: India is witnessing a significant increase in the incidence of head and neck cancers, with projections estimating 2.1 million new cancer cases by 2040, healthcare experts said on Saturday. On the World Head and Neck Cancer Day, experts said this alarming trend underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors and the implementation of effective public health strategies.
A recent study by Delhi-based NGO, Cancer Mukt Bharat Foundation, highlighted that at least 26 per cent of cancer patients in India have head and neck cancer. “India is seeing a surge in head and neck cancer cases, especially among young men, due to increased tobacco consumption and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Around 80-90 per cent of oral cancer patients have been found to use tobacco in some form, be it smoking or chewing,” Ashish Gupta, senior oncologist who is heading Cancer Mukt Bharat campaign in India, told IANS.
According to Sanjay Deshmukh, Director, surgical oncology at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, tobacco use remains the most substantial risk factor for head and neck cancers in the country. “Smokeless tobacco products like gutkha and khaini, which are widely consumed, contain carcinogens that significantly increase cancer risk. Alcohol consumption is another critical factor contributing to the rise in head and neck cancers,” Deshmukh informed.
When combined with tobacco use, the carcinogenic effects are compounded, leading to a higher incidence of these c.