80% people in state showing symptoms of oral pre-cancer

A survey has come out with a stunning report — 80% people in the whole of Maharashtra are showing signs of oral pre-cancer.

The survey, taken up to spread awareness on oral cancer in the state, conducted by the St. George Hospital in collaboration with the Government Dental College, stated that more than 80 per cent people in a state are showing the symptoms of oral cancer. The doctors said most of the people have started developing pre-cancerous symptoms of oral cancer as they were found consuming one form of tobacco.

During the survey, dental screenings were also conducted in which more than 60 lakh people were scanned for dental treatment. “After the screening, it showed that 40 per cent male, 30 per cent female and 10 per cent of teenagers were consuming tobacco due to which they developed pre-cancerous symptoms which need to be treated immediately,” a senior doctor said.

The reason behind of developing pre-cancerous symptoms is due to lack of awareness when it comes to consumption of tobacco. “Most people we scan showed they have a habit of consuming tobacco due to which dental diseases like severe tooth decay, bleeding gums, calculus, and periodontal pockets-disease are present,” said Dr. Mansingh Pawar, Dean of Government Dental College.

He further said there is less awareness regarding oral hygiene due to which precancerous symptoms of oral cancer are detected very late. “People avoid getting treatment due to which it leads to oral cancer. If it is treated at earlier stage and make patient quit tobacco, they can be saved,” Dr. Pawar said.

The survey also revealed that more than 50 per cent of the people were showing poor oral hygiene which results in an effect on their overall health. “Majority of patients were from remote and rural locations and their diet was found to be low in protein. Moreover, it was found that they were consuming khaini, jarda, mawa, gutkha, tobacco and burnt tobacco leaves into a black powder used as tooth powder to clean the teeth (‘misheri’),” Dr. Pawar added.