Epidemiological Assessment of Oral Cancer Burden in Pakistan. (26th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malkani, Naila; Kazmi, Sara; Rashid, Muhammad Usman
• Is Part Of: Cancer investigation. Volume 39:Number 10(2021)
• Page Start: 842
• Page End: 853
• Publication Date: 2021-11-26
• Subjects: Oral cancer -- Pakistan -- risk factors -- prevalence -- cancer management -- health policy; Cancer -- Periodicals; Oncology -- Periodicals; Medical Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2021.1982962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0735-7907

Abstract

Abstract: Oral cancer ranks first among males and is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths in Pakistan. We studied the epidemiology and risk factors associated with this cancer. The main risk factors in the Pakistani population include the usage of chewable and non-chewable tobacco, areca nut, betel leaf, poor dental hygiene practices, oncogenic viral infections, and genetic predispositions. The impact of socioeconomic status and the available health resources on the management of oral cancer is also discussed. It is concluded that being a low-middle economy efforts should be primarily focused on awareness for early screening, diagnosis, and prevention strategies.