Tobacco chewing link to oral cancer
Bangladeshi people could be at higher risk of getting oral cancer because of the popularity of chewing tobacco, research has suggested.
Chewing paan, a mixture of tobacco and areca nut, is common within the Bangladeshi community and the habit may have led to an “alarming” rise in the number of cases of oral cancer in East London, according to researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
The findings are a contrast to the national picture where rising oral cancer rates have been linked to increased alcohol consumption, according to Cancer Research UK.
While drinking alcohol is frowned upon among East London’s Bangladeshi population, the habit of chewing paan, which is known to cause oral cancer, is widespread, according to the research.
A team from the Centre for Clinical and Diagnostic Oral Sciences used a mobile dental unit to tour areas of East London, targeting the Bangladeshi community, especially those who rarely visited a dentist.
Following a screening programme of 1,300 local residents, Dr Anand Lalli, a clinical lecturer in oral surgery, estimated that one in 15 people were referred to the hospital for further investigation.
He said: “Along with the rest of the UK, we are seeing an alarming rise in the number of people being diagnosed with oral cancer.
“The rise is being linked to drinking alcohol because of the huge increase in alcohol usage in the UK in recent decades.
“Rather than alcohol, we believe that within the Bangladeshi community, chewing paan with tobacco or areca nut is the key contributing factor.
He advised regular dental check-ups for people worried about oral cancer, saying: “Your dentist is trained to spot the early signs of oral cancer such as ulcers or red or white patches on the gum or tongue. If you have any of these symptoms now you should see your dentist or doctor without delay.”
