Tobacco/Tambaku
In India, the use of tobacco, also known as tambaku, is a serious public health concern that has a significant impact on the growing number of cancer cases, especially among men. Tobacco smoking or chewing tambaku, the leading cause of these deadly diseases in India, which causes approximately 40% of all cancer cases, is worrying. We will look at how tobacco use causes cancers such as lung, mouth, and esophageal, as well as other serious health issues in this part. Tobacco causes painful death.
Forms of Tobacco Consumption in India
India has several varieties of tobacco/tambaku usage, all of which are very dangerous. Typical kinds include:
- Smoking Tobacco: Smoking tobacco includes bidis and cigarettes; both are quite common in India, and they directly damage the lungs. Smoking increases the risk of conditions such as heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Smokeless Tobacco: Chewing or putting products like gutka, khaini, and paan in the mouth can cause oral cancer. Smokeless tobacco is frequently thought to be safer, but it is equally harmful; it can seriously harm the mouth, gums, and throat.
Tobacco-Related Cancers
Tobacco/tambaku is a primary cause of several cancer kinds. The following are the most common types of cancers that are directly related to tobacco use:
Lung Cancer:
Lung cancer is mostly caused by tobacco smoking, which is responsible for over 85% of cases. Long-term smoking seriously increases the risk of lung tissue damage due to the chemicals in cigarettes. High death rates result from lung cancer because it is frequently not realized until it is too late.
Oral Cancer:
Smokeless tobacco products like gutka, tambaku, and paan are the main cause of oral cancer. Oral cancer, which includes cancers of the mouth, lips, and tongue, is largely caused by smokeless tobacco products. In advanced cases of oral cancer, tobacco causes painful death, especially if treatment is delayed.
Esophageal Cancer:
Consuming tobacco (tambaku) and smoking both increase the risk of esophageal cancer, which affects the food pipe. Extreme difficulty in swallowing, pain, and weight loss are common side effects of this condition. If esophageal cancer is not identified early, the treatment will be difficult.
Stomach Cancer:
While the connection between tobacco and stomach cancer is less widely known, research indicates that using smokeless and regular tobacco products damages the stomach lining and impairs digestion, which in turn increases the risk of stomach cancer.
How Tobacco Causes Cancer
There are multiple chemicals in tobacco, or tambaku, among which are proven carcinogens. Tobacco smoke and chewing damage cells’ DNA, which can result in cancer growth of uncontrolled cells. Those who smoke and are tobacco chewers are at high risk of ingesting toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, arsenic, and tar. This damage eventually becomes permanent and turns into cancer.
The Social Impact of Tobacco Use
Tobacco-related diseases have a significant negative impact on families and society. The financial burden of cancer treatment is a major concern for many Indian families, especially in cases when advanced stages of cancer, such as esophageal or lung cancer, are detected. Seeing a loved one suffer from a tobacco-related illness takes a terrible emotional toll.
Tobacco Causes Painful Death
Tobacco-related cancers are frequently detected later and are more challenging to treat. Patients experience pain, discomfort, and considerable physical limits. For example:
- Lung cancer leads to breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, and recurrent infections.
- Oral cancer can require Surgery to remove portions of the mouth or throat may be necessary in cases of oral cancer, which may significantly damage the patient’s ability to talk or eat.
- Esophageal cancer Extreme discomfort when swallowing is a symptom of esophageal cancer, which can induce severe malnutrition and weight loss.
The final stages of these cancers can involve intense physical pain, despite the use of pain-relief medications, making the journey incredibly difficult for patients and their families.
Career Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) Hospital: Expert Care for Cancer Patients
The Career Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) Hospital in Bhopal offers excellent cancer care if you or a loved one is suffering from a tobacco-related malignancy. Modern facilities and an excellent team of oncologists make CIMS Hospital a top choice for treating cancers. To help patients control their pain by improving their quality of life, they offer individualized treatment methods, early detection techniques, and palliative care.
Prevention: Quitting Tobacco
Giving up smoking or tambaku completely is the best protection against cancers caused by tobacco use. While quitting is hard, there are many services accessible, like therapy and substitute nicotine treatments. Better lung function, a lower chance of developing cancer, and an overall higher standard of living are among the quick benefits of quitting smoking. Raising awareness of the risks related to tobacco use and providing help to individuals trying to quit smoking are two other major goals of public health campaigns in India.
Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Action
In India, smoking tobacco (tambaku) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths; among males, the most common cancers are lung, oral, and esophageal. By promoting early diagnosis through regular checkups and raising awareness of the negative effects of tobacco use, we can lessen the number of these deadly diseases. Quitting tobacco/tambaku can save lives, and patients can get the cancer treatment they require with the help of medical facilities like CIMS Hospital, Bhopal.
