Do you know what happens inside your body when you smoke cigarette or chew paan? What's worse, do you know how much damage tobacco can do to our planet? You will be surprised to know that tobacco contains about 7000 poisonous substances which can cause serious health problems. In addition to being a major risk factor for heart disease, tobacco causes cancer and other lung and kidney diseases.
Epidemic threat from tobacco
Global estimates say that approximately 6 million people die from tobacco-related diseases every year. And this number is projected to increase to more than 8 million by 2030.
India is the second largest consumer of tobacco globally, and is responsible for approximately one-sixth of tobacco-related deaths in the world. Tobacco is the most important recognized cause of cancer and is responsible for about 40 to 50% of cancers in men and about 20% of cancers in women.
India accounts for 12% (267 million) of all tobacco smokers in the world. Of the estimated one million annual tobacco-related deaths, smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke account for approximately 0.93 million deaths every year. She goes. India has the additional burden of chewing tobacco, which is even more prevalent than smoking in many areas.
According to WHO, tobacco not only causes harm to humans but also has a huge social and economic cost. The total economic cost due to tobacco use from all diseases for persons aged 35 years and above in India in 2017–18 was Rs 177341 crore (US$27.5 billion).
Tobacco causes cancer
Unfortunately, one person dies every 6 seconds due to tobacco. WHO data estimate that one in two youth who start smoking in adolescence and continue smoking throughout their lives may develop tobacco-related cancer (TRC). In India, the age group of 35-70 years is seen to be more likely to develop tobacco-related cancer. The incidence is higher in males (4.75%) than females (2.16%).
Continued tobacco consumption is the main cause of lung and mouth cancer. Oral cancer is one of the top three cancers in India, accounting for more than thirty percent of all cancers reported in the country.
People who smoke are the only people who can get cancer from tobacco smoke. The people around them—their children, partners, friends, coworkers, and others—who breathe in that smoke are at risk for cancer. This type of exposure is called secondhand smoke.
Harmful Carcinogens in Tobacco Products
People who use tobacco products or are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke have an increased risk of cancer. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke contain a variety of chemicals that damage cell DNA. The most important and dangerous components are: 1) nicotine; 2) Carbon monoxide and 3) Tar.
Nicotine is a toxic substance that leads to addiction. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and causes shortness of breath. Tar is a sticky residue that contains benzopyrene, one of the deadliest cancer-causing agents.
Tobacco contains many other compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile nitrosamines, hydrogen cyanide, volatile sulfur-containing compounds, volatile hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. Some of these compounds are known to cause cancer in various parts of the body.
The risk of these cancers may increase
Tobacco consumption causes many types of cancer.
Bladder
Blood (acute myeloid leukemia)
Cervix
Colon and Rectum
Esophagus
Kidney, bladder, and renal pelvis
Liver
Lungs, bronchi, and trachea
Mouth and Throat
Pancreas and Stomach
Voice box (larynx)
Tobacco-related cancer prevention
There are two ways to prevent cancer caused by tobacco consumption.
If you do not consume tobacco then this is the best way to keep cancer away!
If you use tobacco in any form, quit today and get checked for cancer!
Early detection of cancer through regular screening and relatively inexpensive treatment can help prevent serious effects.
Early detection of cancer is the motto of Carkinos Healthcare. Across India, Carkinos Healthcare conducts several cancer screening programs that can provide early diagnosis of cancer caused by tobacco. Chief among those efforts is the partnership with the Indian Dental Association (IDA). The Indian Dental Association (IDA) has adopted the theme 'Beat the Threat, Claim Your Health' for World No Tobacco Day 2022.
(PC: Freepik)
