Healthcare industry experts highlight the adverse effects of tobacco and its role in the growing incidences of cancer, while recommending measures to reduce tobacco consumption
Dr Arun R Warrier, Consultant-Medical Oncology, Aster Medcity
When a gentleman with cancer walks into the clinic with cancer, it requires only toss of a coin to find out whether he had exposure to tobacco.This is not an exaggeration as 50 per cent of cancers in males can be attributed to tobacco use. Tobacco is arguably the most toxic compound used in large scale by humans. First, it causes addiction through nicotine and later the harmful effects kick in. There are thousands of deleterious chemicals in tobacco of which at least 70 are proven cancer causing agents.
Because of intense awareness and legislations, tobacco smoking has comedown. Youth no longer consider it as a fashion statement to blow a ring! Unfortunately, sinister and more dangerous forms like gutkha, pan which can be concealed has become more prevalent. As monitoring is difficult for these cheap agents, more potent addictive substances are used in them. In order to highlight this, WHO has given ‘Stop illicit trade of tobacco products’ as the slogan for 2015 World No Tobacco day campaign.
Although tobacco can affect all organ systems, the risk for cancer development of a tobacco user never reduces to zero after years of abstaining. Even the family members and workplace colleagues suffer from the inhalation of toxic chemicals through ‘second hand smoke’. The risk of cancer increases with the amount of exposure, but definite assessment is difficult. There are also no effective screening programmes for cancers of lung, esophagus and bladder which are reported more in tobacco users. 85 per cent of lung cancers, an aggressive and the most common cancer in males is due to tobacco. Eliminating tobacco is definitely going to be the most important aspect in the fight against cancer. Let us remind ourselves of this responsibility on this day…
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Dr Wasim Phoplunkar, Radiation Oncologist, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai
Tobacco is one of the major causes for many cancers, specially oral cancer and throat cancer. In India, amongst the mains, oral cancers make a major portion of the total cancer burden and that is caused by the tobacco and its products like gutkha, khaini etc. It is common in females also, specially in rural parts of the country where they consume paan mixed with tobacco.
Tobacco is consumed in two forms-firstly being chewable form which causes all these cancers and secondly being tobacco which is consumed in cigarette form which is again responsible for many cancers like throat cancer, rectum cancer, oral cancer.
Majority of my patients, among the males, are sufferers of head and neck cancer caused by tobacco and tobacco products. Government should take strict actions against tobacco consumptions as well as tobacco manufacturers.
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Dr TS Kler, Executive Director (Cardiac Sciences), HOD Cardiology, Director Electrophysiology at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi
Tobacco uses – both smoke as well as chewable tobacco – are extremely dangerous for health. While lung and oral cancers are much talked about consequences of tobacco consumption, another major factor which some people do not associate with tobacco use is increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that a smoker has higher risk of dying within first heart attack than a non-smoker. It is also estimated that half of all people who smoke and consumer tobacco die as a direct health consequence of it.
Tobacco use contributes towards the development of deposit of lumen thus narrowing the inside channel for blood flow. These deposits in medical terms are called atherosclerotic plaques. Tobacco users develop coronary artery disease much early. Over time these blood vessels become too narrow for the heart’s comfort and result in heart attack or stroke. But quitting smoke has immense rewards. Even if you have been a smoker all your life, quitting smoke drastically reduces your risk of heart disease.
Many people start smoking when they are young and do not comprehensively understand the health risks they face. By the time they do, addiction has become too strong. Many find it difficult to quit. It is important to help people who are struggling to quit smoke addiction. Counseling and medication can also help and they should be encouraged to seek professional help.
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Dr Manoj Goel, Director and Unit head, Pulmonology and Sleep Med, Fortis Memorial Research Institute
Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes smokers to continue to smoke. Addicted smokers need enough nicotine over a day to ‘feel normal’ – to satisfy cravings or control their mood. How much nicotine a smoker needs determines how much smoke they are likely to inhale, no matter what type of cigarette they smoke. Along with nicotine, smokers inhale about 7,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these chemicals come from burning tobacco leaf. Some of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body. Tobacco smoke contains over 60 known cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general. Tobacco smoke is leading cause of asthma and chronic obstructive airway disease. It also increases risks of hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, impotence, reduced fertility, greater susceptibility of infection, bone weakness.
Smoking is a very important cause cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, larynx, tongue, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia), kidney, cervix, ovary, ureter, liver, bladder, bowel and stomach. Quitting smoking can prevent many of these effects. A smoker must have a strong will to quit smoking which can be achieved under the guidance of an expert with the support of family members.
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Dr CN Patil, Senior Consultant – Oncology, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru
Tobacco hooks the person for life, it’s a habit forming drug which makes the person addicted to it generally. It not only causes cancer but can be a cause for a majority of diseases. People need to be wise and not repent later. Be Smart, Don’t Start.”