In India, tobacco use causes 60% of cancer cases, alarming health experts. Dr. Prasanth Penumadu, Medical Director at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care & Advanced Research (SVICCAR) in Tirupati,pointed out a troubling rise in non-smoking habits,especially among women. Chewing tobacco and snuff are now major players in cancer rates,competing with traditional smoking.
With World No Tobacco Day approaching, Dr. Prasanth flagged a concerning trend: many rural women, particularly daily wage earners,are unknowingly consuming tobacco through products like 'Katlapodi', often confused with betel nut powder. “The female patients arriving here swear to have never consumed tobacco, but they did not know tobacco is the main ingredient in Katlapodi,” he said . Awareness is crucial.
Smoking is mainly linked to cancers of mouth,throat,and lungs,but its reach goes beyond that . Dr. Prasanth noted that tobacco use also significantly raises the risk for cancers of esophagus, stomach,kidneys,pancreas, and bladder. Understanding these dangers is key for health initiatives.
To tackle rising addiction rates, SVICCAR plans to open a Tobacco Cessation Clinic to help those looking to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Dr. Prasanth assured that clinic would support individuals facing withdrawal . “The first step to quit tobacco is to quit,” he stressed . He also warned against e-cigarettes, calling them another form of addiction,even if they lack nicotine.
SVICCAR, set up with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and backed by the TATA Cancer Care Foundation and TATA Trusts, is dedicated to fighting the tobacco crisis and enhancing cancer care in the area.
