Press Release

Fifty per cent of head and neck cancers are smoking related
Thiruvananthapuram, June 23 Over 50 per cent of head and neck cancers are due to smoking, reveals a new study published in PubMed, the online repository of studies in life sciences and biomedical topics, maintained by the US National Institutes of Health. In the study involving 101,182 subjects during a Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) cancer screening trial, it was brought out that 50.5 per cent of head and neck cancer cases are attributed to tobacco use. Titled Tobacco, alcohol, body mass index, physical activity, and the risk of head and neck cancer in the prostate, lung, colorectal, and ovarian (PLCO) cohort, the study also found out that the proportion of head and neck cancer cases attributed to tobacco and/or alcohol was 66 per cent. Of these, 50.5 per cent was due to tobacco use alone, 14.7 per cent from alcohol alone and 0.9 per cent from combination of tobacco and alcohol. Head and neck cancers are a heterogeneous group of tumours involving the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), and larynx (voicebox). Ranked sixth among the common cancers worldwide, nearly 300,000 people die each year out of 400,000 approximate cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx and 160,000 cancers of the larynx, as per the World Cancer Report 2008. The World Cancer Report is brought out jointly by the World Health Organisation and International Agency for Research on Cancer. Kerala has one of the highest reported incidences of head and neck cancers, which constitute over 30 per cent of all cancers in the Indian sub-continent. Head and neck cancers may manifest as non-healing ulcers or growth in the mouth; slurred speech; persistent change in voice; foreign body sensation in the throat; difficulty and pain in swallowing and swelling in the neck, among others. Dr.Subramania Iyer, who leads the Head and Neck Institute at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi said, It is well-known that tobacco use is a major cause of head and neck cancers. This study assumes significance as it quantifies existing knowledge and establishes cigarette smoking and tobacco use as an undeniable causative factor of head and neck cancers. The treatment options for head and neck cancers include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The type of treatment depends on the site and stage of cancer and the patients overall health condition. For cancers in early stages, surgery and radiation therapy are generally used. Radiation therapy may precede or succeed surgery depending on the stage of the disease, Dr.Iyer said. Surgery and radiotherapy are the important modalities of treatment either alone or in combination. Chemotherapy is increasingly being used along with radiotherapy to avoid surgery and to preserve organ.

Saikripa, 289, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram 695 038, Kerala || T: 0471-2361026 || E: tobaccofreekerala@gmail.com ||

Dr.Ramadas K, Medical Superintendent and Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre said, Though most of the head and neck cancers can be cured if detected in early stages; the reality is alarming. Majority of these tumours are detected in very advanced stages when the treatment is complicated, expensive and less curative. Recent advances in radiotherapy have made the treatment more precise with minimal side effects." Considering that dissuading from tobacco use can prevent the extremely debilitating head and neck cancers, users would do well to quit. Family members, especially children, can encourage and counsel male members to stop this addictive habit, Dr.Ramadas added. In India, in addition to tobacco smoking, chewing of tobacco, especially pan masala containing tobacco has magnified the ill effects of head and neck cancers, experts point out. Ends

Saikripa, 289, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram 695 038, Kerala || T: 0471-2361026 || E: tobaccofreekerala@gmail.com ||