Concerned over the rising incidents of oral cancer cases in the country,
experts feel that the government should come out with a strategic plan
to ensure early detection of this deadly disease. Stressing the need to
strengthen the initiatives towards better detection, the Cancer Aid
Society of India has pointed out that government should come out with
camps across country to ensure early diagnosis of the same for people
belonging to high risk areas.
Oral cancer is one of the leading cancers worldwide, known for its high fatality rate. What makes this cancer the most dangerous from the other existing cancers especially breast and cervical cancer is that it spreads rapidly to other body parts rampantly in a very short time.
Extensive use of tobacco and like products are traditionally considered to be the main triggers causing oral cancer, however recent studies suggest that people without these habits also have high chances of getting oral cancer.
According to Dr Dinesh Rajput, associate professor, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Medical and Rural Development Foundation’s Dental College & Hospital, “Lack of awareness about oral cancer and its threat is one of the major reasons for high mortality rate in this country. People presume that since they don't smoke or take tobacco they have no reason to get oral cancer, which is wrong. It is surprising to note that good number of the people who get this cancer are the ones who tend to have no smoking habits at all.”
Further Dr Rajput pointed out that oral cancer retains its position as being the deadliest of all cancers because of delayed detection of the disease. By the time it is diagnosed patients are already in the later stage making the chances of survival rate very low.
O P Berry, director general Cancer Aid Society stated, at present there is no data available to point out the exact number of oral cancer patients, however when survival rate is calculated from the detected oral cancer cases, it is painfully very low. “Cancer means 'can survive', i.e. if detected at an early stage. Thus the thrust should be on preventive measures as well than just focusing on therapeutic measure like providing affordable drugs, medical aid etc which of course is important. We want the government to come out with a plan that will basically focus on detection camps and plans so that people can avoid the later stage problems which is not only physically painful for the patients but also is financially stressful for all,” Berry added.
Unfortunately in most cases the cancer is diagnosed after it reaches an advanced stage, which requires extensive surgical treatment that too with very low chances of survival. In oral cancer the lesions are very difficult to detect and the only way to detect a lesion is through biopsy which is painful. Making matters worse is the reluctance of the patients towards recognising the early signs of oral cancer like patches and non healing ulcers.
“This is mainly because patients and in some cases even doctors are not aware of the available detection methods like exfoliative cytology, a non invasive bloodless painless method to detect the cancer. Government needs to set up a programme that will focus on training the doctors on understanding the importance of early diagnosis, so that they can spread awareness about the same with their patients during routine checkups. In fact oral examination should be made a part of routine health checkup considering the danger of this disease,” Dr Rajput stressed.
Source:Pharmabiz
Oral cancer is one of the leading cancers worldwide, known for its high fatality rate. What makes this cancer the most dangerous from the other existing cancers especially breast and cervical cancer is that it spreads rapidly to other body parts rampantly in a very short time.
Extensive use of tobacco and like products are traditionally considered to be the main triggers causing oral cancer, however recent studies suggest that people without these habits also have high chances of getting oral cancer.
According to Dr Dinesh Rajput, associate professor, Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Medical and Rural Development Foundation’s Dental College & Hospital, “Lack of awareness about oral cancer and its threat is one of the major reasons for high mortality rate in this country. People presume that since they don't smoke or take tobacco they have no reason to get oral cancer, which is wrong. It is surprising to note that good number of the people who get this cancer are the ones who tend to have no smoking habits at all.”
Further Dr Rajput pointed out that oral cancer retains its position as being the deadliest of all cancers because of delayed detection of the disease. By the time it is diagnosed patients are already in the later stage making the chances of survival rate very low.
O P Berry, director general Cancer Aid Society stated, at present there is no data available to point out the exact number of oral cancer patients, however when survival rate is calculated from the detected oral cancer cases, it is painfully very low. “Cancer means 'can survive', i.e. if detected at an early stage. Thus the thrust should be on preventive measures as well than just focusing on therapeutic measure like providing affordable drugs, medical aid etc which of course is important. We want the government to come out with a plan that will basically focus on detection camps and plans so that people can avoid the later stage problems which is not only physically painful for the patients but also is financially stressful for all,” Berry added.
Unfortunately in most cases the cancer is diagnosed after it reaches an advanced stage, which requires extensive surgical treatment that too with very low chances of survival. In oral cancer the lesions are very difficult to detect and the only way to detect a lesion is through biopsy which is painful. Making matters worse is the reluctance of the patients towards recognising the early signs of oral cancer like patches and non healing ulcers.
“This is mainly because patients and in some cases even doctors are not aware of the available detection methods like exfoliative cytology, a non invasive bloodless painless method to detect the cancer. Government needs to set up a programme that will focus on training the doctors on understanding the importance of early diagnosis, so that they can spread awareness about the same with their patients during routine checkups. In fact oral examination should be made a part of routine health checkup considering the danger of this disease,” Dr Rajput stressed.
Source:Pharmabiz
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