Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in men in the country. Tobacco is generally considered to be the cause of oral cancer, but a new study by Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Center will blow your senses. This study states that alcohol is the cause of 62 percent of oral cancer cases in India. At the same time, the risk increases for those who consume tobacco along with alcohol.

When was this study done?

The study published in the BMJ Global Health journal in December 2025 was conducted on 3706 men from 2010 to 2021. These included 1803 oral cancer patients and 1903 healthy people. These people were taken from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and ACTREC (Kharghar).

What does this research say?

• Drinking alcohol greatly increases the risk: Be it branded beer, whiskey, wine or country liquor like Mahua, Toddy, Tharra, the risk of oral cancer increases.
• One peg is enough: drinking just 9 grams of alcohol a day (ie one standard drink) increases the risk by 50 percent. Less than 2 grams of beer also increases the risk.
• Alcohol is also dangerous: 17 percent of mouth cancer cases are caused by alcohol alone.
• How dangerous is tobacco? Tobacco like Gutkha and Khaini cause 37 percent cases of oral cancer.
• Both together: Consuming alcohol and tobacco together increases the risk by 4-5 times and accounts for 62% of cases.
• What is the effect of alcohol?: Alcohol produces acetaldehyde in the body, which causes damage to DNA. Most people in India have genes that break down alcohol slowly. Due to this, this poisonous substance remains in the body for a long time and increases the risk of cancer.

What do doctors say?

According to Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, head of the mouth and throat cancer department at Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai, alcohol is considered to cause Group-1 cancer. India has a policy on tobacco, but not on alcohol. Celebrity advertisements and surrogate advertisements should be stopped. The idea that it is okay to drink a little is wrong. There is no safe limit of alcohol.

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

• Mouth sores or ulcers that persist for up to 2 weeks
• white or red patches in the lips or mouth
• lump or swelling in the mouth
• trouble swallowing or speaking
• lump in the neck
• Bad breath or bleeding.

How to protect?

• Stop alcohol and tobacco completely
• Stay away from gutkha, khaini, pan masala, betel nut
• Maintain oral hygiene, regular brushing and checkups
• Take a healthy diet, which has more fruits and vegetables

Also read: How healthy is canteen food worth Rs 1 or Rs 5? How can we check it?

Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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Often people consider head and neck cancer as just mouth cancer, while the truth is that this group covers many types of cancer. This includes oral cavity (mouth), throat (throat), voice box (larynx), nasal, sinuses, thyroid, parotid gland (salivary gland) and even eye sockets (part of the eye). People usually associate it with cancer of the mouth, throat or voice box, because they are more common and they are directly related to tobacco. Chewing tobacco often causes mouth cancer, while smoking causes diseases related to throat, voice box and airway.

Late diagnosis biggest problem

The biggest challenge of head and neck cancer is delay in diagnosis (delayed). This delay is from both sides from the patient and also from the doctor. According to Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director, Surgical Oncology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, “Many times the patient has problems like mouth ulcers, white patches or changes in voice, but people consider it an infection. Doctors also initially manage antibiotic, pain or steroids. Even dental professionals often treat such symptoms with many rounds of medicine. When these treatment do not work, then there is suspicion of cancer.

Misconceptions related to biopsy

If ulcers, white patch, or red legends in the mouth are not cured by the first medicine, then it is necessary to show the oncologist and get a biopsy immediately. Dr. Malhotra says, “The biggest problem is that people believe that the biopsy will spread cancer. It is a completely myth and can prove to be dangerous for the patient’s life.”

Lack of infrastructure

Special tests such as endoscopy or laryngoscopy are essential to identify cancer of throat, tonsils, base of tongue or larynx. These facilities are available in most big cities hospitals. Due to lack of this facility in Tier-2 and Tier-3 City, it is late to refer patients. The second major problem is the long TAT (turnaround time) of the biopsy report. In small cities, samples first go to the local lab, then from there are sent to the special lab of Metro City. This takes a long time to get the report.

Hope from new technology

Liquid biopsy is a new and easy way, in which cancer markers can be detected only with blood samples. Although this final does not give diagnosis, but the initial idea is definitely there. Robotic surgery has also revolutionized the treatment of head and neck cancer. Especially for those patients whose cancer occurs inside the throat, the base of tongue or tonsils. The cancer can be removed from the robotic system without putting large cuts on the face. With technology like frozen section analysis, a biopsy report is now available in 20 minutes during surgery. From this, the decision can be taken immediately and the patient does not have to undergo repeated surgery.

Also read- There is no lack of calcium only, many secrets of health are hidden in white line on nails

Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.

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Mouth Ulcer Cancer Symptoms: Often when we eat more spicy or sleep is not complete, small blisters emerge in the mouth. We think that two to four days will be cured. If you try a home recipe or bring an ointment from the market. But these minor blisters can also be a knock of a serious illness? According to the information, many times mouth blisters can also indicate cancer. You might have been shocked to hear this, but in this information today we will tell you how a common symptom can also become a warning of serious illness.

Also read- should you eat dry fruit on an empty stomach in the morning or not? Know the right way to eat

Mouth blisters

Mouth blisters are usually caused by viral infection, vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, stress, hormonal changes. They also recover in a few days. But if a blister remains for more than 2 weeks, there is no pain in it, it becomes hard or is happening again and again, then it is important to pay attention to it.

When should it be alert?

Barks

Lumps

White or red spots on the tongs, cheeks or lips

Swallow

Frequent blisters in a particular place

Why is mouth cancer?

The main causes of oral cancer include chewing tobacco, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and lack of cleanliness. In addition, eating continuous hot food or spicy things can also cause damage to the inner skin of the mouth.

Rescue measures

Close smoking and tobacco consumption completely

Limit alcohol intake

It is necessary to take a lot of balanced diet

Get a checkup done with a regular dentist

Pay special attention to mouth cleaning

Taking small looking blisters lightly can be overwhelming at times. It is not necessary that every blister is a symptom of cancer, but it is very important to be cautious about repeated or not healing wounds. Timely investigation and treatment can prevent any serious disease.

Also read: How is DNA test, what will help the badly burnt bodies in Ahmedabad plane crash?

Disclaimer: Some information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, you must consult the concerned expert.

Check out Below Health Tools-
Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

Calculate the age through age calculator