The incidence of oral cancer, traditionally more common among men, is alarmingly rising among women in Kolkata. In 2024, the R Ahmed Dental College (RADC), the premier dental institution in Bengal, registered 422 cases of oral cancer, of which 133 involved women, yielding a ratio close to 2:1. This trend coincides with the observance of World No Tobacco Day, where healthcare professionals highlight the increasing use of tobacco as a primary factor contributing to the surge in cases among women. While there isn’t a comprehensive oral cancer registry, RADC has been documenting its own data for several years. In 2023, the college reported 673 cases of oral cancer, with 522 being men and 151 women, indicating a consistent upward trend from 2022 when 422 cases were recorded, including 281 men and 141 women.
Dental surgeon Raju Biswas, secretary of the Indian Dental Association, stated, “There is a concerning rise in oral cancer among women, and the main reason is the increased use of tobacco. It is crucial to reject tobacco in all forms-be it smoking or chewing-to minimize the risk of oral cancer.” Hospital sources noted that many women exhibiting symptoms like pre-cancerous lesions often do not pursue biopsies for confirmation, implying that the actual burden of oral cancer among women could be significantly higher.
Basudev Mahato, an associate professor of oral and maxillofacial pathology at RADC, mentioned, “While we still see more oral cancer cases in men, the numbers among women are also rising. This type of cancer can progress rapidly in an aggressive manner. Prevention is paramount; regular oral health check-ups can help in detecting pre-cancerous lesions early, improving outcomes.” Alangkar Saha, a maxillofacial surgeon at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, added that besides tobacco use, the human papilloma virus (HPV) may also contribute to the rising oral cancer rates among women, linked to changing sexual behaviors.
Sourav Datta, a head-and-neck oncology surgeon at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, emphasized that tobacco not only causes oral cancer but is also responsible for lung, larynx, bladder, and esophageal cancers, with growing numbers reported among women. To address these health concerns, various city hospitals, including Manipal, CMRI, NCRI, and Apollo, along with organizations like the Indian Dental Association, are orchestrating numerous activities in recognition of World No Tobacco Day.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/oral-cancer-cases-rising-among-women-experts/articleshow/121523489.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-05-31 03:42:00
