India as “The Oral Cancer Capital of the World”: The Rising Burden of Oral Malignancies across the Nation

Abstract

India is a global epicenter of oral cancer patients and the magnitude of the problem is ever increasing day by day. There is excess burden of oral malignancies all over the country and the risk factors associated with the disease are at its peak. Addressing the disease which is quite like an epidemic is a great challenge and major public health issue in India. This review paper discusses the burden of the disease, its top risk factors in India including the use of tobacco, alcohol, areca nut and HPV infections; and methods for prevention and control of oral cancer in India. Keywords: Oral cancer, Burden, Risk factors, Tobacco, Alcohol, Areca nut, HPV, Prevention.