Oral cancer is on the rise across the nation, and here's something you might find surprising – a growing number of cases are increasing in individuals with no history of tobacco or alcohol use. This shocking statistic comes from research conducted by the Head and Neck department at VPS Lakeshore Hospital.
The study revealed that 57% of oral cancer cases in recent years were found in people who hadn't used tobacco or alcohol.
The hospital states that this research, conducted over ten years from July 2014 to July 2024, studied 515 patients. Of these, 75.5% were men, while 24.5% were women. Among this, 58.9% had other health conditions, and 30% were dealing with multiple health issues. But 41.4% had no additional health problems at all.
In Kerala, the trend is a bit different from other parts of India. While cancers related to tobacco use are common in many regions, tongue cancer is the leading type in Kerala, making up 64% of oral cancer cases. This is a stark contrast to areas where buccal mucosa cancer, strongly associated with tobacco use, is more prevalent.
Dr. Shawn T. Joseph, the head and neck surgical oncologist who led the research, shared his concern over these changes. “Earlier, nearly all oral cancer cases could be linked to tobacco use. Now, it's a whole new scenario. It’s shocking to realise that one in two oral cancer patients has never used tobacco,” he shared.
He suggests that if you notice mouth ulcers that aren't healing after two weeks, or if you spot any unusual lumps or red and white patches in the mouth, it's time to visit your doctor or dentist.
But why is oral cancer increasing in people who have no history of tobacco or alcohol use? That’s still a mystery. Research is ongoing to find out more, and the hospital is already working with several government agencies to investigate the causes behind this rising trend.
