Gutkha to Gum Cancer: Chewing Habits' Deadly Link to Oral Cancer

• Chewing gutkha, khaini, pan masala, and tobacco-laced betel quid is a major health challenge in India, contributing to over 5 oral cancer deaths per hour.
• Dr. Mudit Agarwal highlights how abrasive particles, nicotine, and chemicals in chewing tobacco cause immediate damage like tooth staining, gum irritation, and receding gums.
• Continuous irritation leads to precancerous conditions such as oral leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF), significantly increasing cancer risk.
• Carcinogens in chewing tobacco damage DNA, causing cells to mutate and grow uncontrollably, leading to gum and other oral cancers.
• Early detection through regular check-ups and self-examination is crucial for high cure rates; RGCIRC offers a Tobacco Cessation Clinic for support.

Why It Matters: Chewing tobacco products cause severe oral damage, leading to precancerous conditions and life-threatening oral cancer.