Reducing Oral Cancer Rates In India And Elsewhere: The Way Forward

Screening  

Oral cancer is the only kind of cancer that gives a visual clue before it actually begins to develop. Also, with the oral cavity being easily accessible, the need for spreading awareness about self-examination and at local healthcare centers is extremely pressing.

Pre-malignant lesions such as leukplakia, erythroplakia and oral sub mucous fibrosis can be seen in people who are extremely heavy users of tobacco. Patients develop white, reddish or mixed patches in their oral cavity. The most common place where these patches develop is the buccal vestibule where people pack the tobacco and leave it for prolonged periods of time.

Other symptoms, such as a burning sensation while eating, the inability to bear any sort of spices whatsoever and in the case of oral sub mucus fibrosis, an inability to open the mouth. All of these symptoms are quite easily identifiable and can help forewarn people against an impending danger.

Affordable Treatment

India as a country is still riddled with extreme poverty and the large majority of its population cannot afford quality health care. In such a situation, the government needs to set up more schemes like those run by Dr Devi Shetty, who provides access to health care to entire families for as little as $3 per year. This is made possible by grants and donations from the private sector, as well as aid from the government institutions.

Taxing Tobacco

One of the more obvious things to do seems to be to tax cigarettes and other tobacco products at a much higher rate, thereby making them expensive. The money received from this taxation should be used to help provide funding to ailing healthcare facilities. Unfortunately, this does not seem likely in the near future.

Promises made are often rolled back seemingly at the behest of a strong tobacco lobby. A favorite argument that is used is that tobacco farmers will go out of business if tobacco products are taxed excessively. Experiments all over the world have shown that farmers are happy to be compensated and settled into newer industries, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind.

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Conclusion

There are many problems and social habits that are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. This is the region that is responsible for over a billion people all over the world. Measures must be taken, keeping short-term and long-term goals in mind so that oral cancer can be effectively fought against.