Why India is seeing a rise in oral cancer cases [Video]

India bears a significant burden of oral cancers, and the country contributes to about 30 per cent of all global cases, said doctors on Tuesday.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

Also known as mouth cancer, the disease is the most common form of head and neck cancer and includes cancers of the mouth and the back of the throat.

Traditionally known to affect older adults, the disease is seeing an early onset, Dr. Sowrabh Arora, Senior Director – Surgical Oncology (Head & Neck), Max Hospital, Vaishali, told IANS.

“Oral cancer is a significant health concern in India, ranking as the second most common cancer overall and the most common among males.

Annually, there are over 100,000 new cases diagnosed. One emerging trend is the increasing incidence of oral cancer among young adults,” he said.

“Alarmingly, the incidence of oral cancer is on the rise, with approximately 70 per cent of cases diagnosed at an advanced …