Kolkata : Tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer in India, with head and neck cancers emerging as some of its most devastating consequences, according to Dr. SLN Chandra Mohan, Head Neck Oncologist and ENT Surgeon at Narayana RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur.
Experts say these cancers often develop silently over several years, affecting vital areas such as the mouth, tongue, throat, voice box, nasal cavity and salivary glands. These regions are essential for speaking, eating, swallowing and breathing, making the disease particularly life-altering.
Dr. Mohan highlighted that Eastern India continues to witness a high incidence of oral and throat cancers due to the widespread use of tobacco in various forms, including cigarettes, gutkha, khaini and paan mixed with tobacco. Tobacco-related head and neck cancers are significantly more common in India than in many other parts of the world.
One of the major challenges in combating these cancers is the tendency of patients to overlook early warning signs. Persistent mouth ulcers, red or white patches inside the mouth, difficulty swallowing, changes in voice, unexplained swelling in the neck, chronic sore throat and bleeding from the mouth are often dismissed as minor ailments.
“By the time symptoms become severe enough to seek medical attention, the disease may already have progressed to an advanced stage,” Dr. Mohan noted. He explained that tobacco acts as a continuous carcinogenic irritant, gradually damaging healthy cells and increasing the risk of malignant transformation. The danger is further amplified when tobacco use is combined with alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene and nutritional deficiencies.
India currently carries one of the highest burdens of oral cancer globally. Health experts are also expressing concern over the growing number of younger individuals being affected, driven by easy access to smokeless tobacco products and early exposure among adolescents. Studies and cancer registries across the country have consistently linked long-term tobacco consumption with cancers of the oral cavity and throat.
Despite the alarming statistics, specialists emphasize that head and neck cancers are among the most preventable and potentially curable forms of cancer when detected early. Regular oral examinations, particularly for tobacco users, can help identify precancerous conditions before they develop into invasive cancer.
Early diagnosis not only improves survival rates but also reduces the need for aggressive treatment. However, lack of awareness, fear of diagnosis and social stigma continue to delay timely medical consultation for many patients.
Treatment options for head and neck cancers have advanced significantly in recent years.
Modern care involves a multidisciplinary approach that may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and reconstructive procedures. Newer techniques in minimally invasive surgery and precision radiation therapy are helping patients retain critical functions such as speech and swallowing while improving overall quality of life.
Healthcare professionals stress that prevention remains the most effective strategy. Quitting tobacco at any stage can substantially reduce cancer risk and improve long-term health outcomes. Experts also call for stronger public awareness campaigns, school-level education, community engagement and family support systems to curb tobacco dependence across generations.
Dr. Mohan urged people not to ignore seemingly minor symptoms affecting the mouth or throat, noting that a simple examination at the right time can often make the difference between successful treatment and advanced disease.
As tobacco-related cancers continue to pose a major public health challenge, medical experts agree on one message: tobacco’s damage extends far beyond the lungs and heart, silently affecting the head and neck and threatening lives. Awareness, early screening and timely intervention remain key weapons in the fight against this growing epidemic.
