One-third of oral cancer cases worldwide are closely related to smokeless tobacco use and betel quid chewing

The results showed that among oral cancer cases caused by smokeless tobacco and betel quid use, 77% were in men and 23% were in women. Although the risk of oral cancer is higher in men than in women in most regions, the use of smokeless tobacco and betel quid by women exceeds that of men in southern Africa and Southeast Asia.

The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive policies to ensure reduction in the use of betel quid, smokeless tobacco and smoking tobacco in different cultural contexts.

Prevention is urgent

Isabella, deputy director of the Cancer Surveillance Department of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, said that although tobacco control has improved, the prevention of smokeless tobacco has been slow and the regulation of betel nut is still insufficient. In order to reduce health inequalities, it is necessary to prioritize the promotion of smokeless tobacco control measures and incorporate the betel nut prevention framework into the global cancer prevention and control plan.