More than 60% of people in India are affected by mouth cancer, particularly due to alcohol consumption and the use of smokeless tobacco products like gutkha and paan. A study revealed that even small amounts of alcohol, as low as under 2g a day, can increase the risk of buccal mucosa cancer. When combined with tobacco chewing, these habits contribute to about 62% of all mouth cancer cases in the country.
The research, published in BMJ Global Health, highlighted that alcohol consumption accounts for around 11.5% of all buccal mucosa cancers in India, rising to 14% in states like Meghalaya, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. The study emphasized that alcohol plays a significant role in the heightened risk of mouth cancer, regardless of the duration of tobacco use. Locally brewed alcohol, possibly contaminated with toxins like methanol and acetaldehyde, poses a higher risk due to inadequate regulation.
Mouth cancer is a prevalent malignancy in India, with an estimated 143,759 new cases and 79,979 deaths annually. The disease primarily affects the soft lining of the cheeks and lips, with survival rates of less than 50% for those affected. The study, comparing individuals with buccal mucosa cancer and controls, found that alcohol consumption significantly increased the risk, especially with internationally recognized and locally brewed alcohol types.
The research team stressed that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption concerning mouth cancer risks. They suggested that public health measures targeting alcohol and tobacco use could substantially reduce the incidence of mouth cancer in India.
