KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Secretary General SM Qaisar Sajjad on Friday that PMA has been running campaigns for banning Tobacco and betel nut in all forms in Pakistan to save the lives of people because these are hazardous for health.
“Tobacco in any form causes cancer and 166,000 people die every year in the country due to use of tobacco in different forms. It is also proven clinically that juice of the good quality betel nuts is carcinogen and when it is mixed with tobacco, other hazardous items and chemicals, it becomes more dangerous for human health. Carcinogen is defined as a substance that causes cancer,” he said in a statement.
Dr Qaisar said that approximately 200,000 new cases of cancer are reported every year out of which 40,000 cases are reported of oral cavity cancer which includes lips, gums, tongue, buccal cavity and pharynx.
Dr Qaisar said PMA has been continuously raising its voice for the prevention of oral cancer and sub-mucous fibrosis. Chalia, Tobacco smoking/chewing, sheesha, toxic fumes and alcohol are the main causes of cancer. A betel nuts is the main cause of oral cancer and sub-mucous fibrosis. About 122 brands of Chalia (Sweet Supari) are easily available everywhere, which is prepared by artificial colour and artificial sugar. It is proven that artificial color is also carcinogen (Cancer). The gutka is a more hazardous item freely available and prepared by Chalia and other hazardous chemicals, he added.
Due to the excessive use of chalia, Sub-mucous Fibrosis is very common in teen agers particularly school and college going students. This is non-treatable diseases in which the Mucosa of the oral cavity is being Fibrosed resulting in the limitation of the opening of the mouth and severe burning in mouth. It is very important to note that betel nut does not grow in Pakistan, but the fungal infected Chalia is being imported. Any fungal infected food eaten for a long time can cause liver cancer.
Dr Qaiser says it is very unfortunate that even in the presence of law, Gutka, Mava, Manipuri, betel nut and their derivatives are freely available in the markets and people are consuming it openly and as a result the cases of oral cancer and Sub-mucous Fibrosis are increasing geometrically in the country particularly in Sind.
Pakistan Medical Association leader demanded strict implementation of law to prevent the sale of gutka, manipuri and their derivatives. PMA also demanded that ban on import of all form of betel nuts should be imposed, which will definitely reduce the number of cases of oral cancer/ Sub- mucous Fibrosis, cancer of esophagus and stomach.
PMA leader also requested public to avoid using betel nut and tobacco in any form because oral cancer is very painful and lethal. It needs huge amount of money for investigation (different tests, CT scan, MRI and Biopsies) and treatment (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy), sometimes patients do not survive even after surgery. It should be noted that early detection of any cancer particularly oro-pharynx and larynx is 100% treatable, he concluded.
