Stay away from e-cigarettes, advise oncologists

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Of the cancer cases in India, 80 to 90 per cent are caused by tobacco consumption.- Alamy Image
Of the cancer cases in India, 80 to 90 per cent are caused by tobacco consumption.- Alamy Image

Dubai - Weaning off cigarettes to consume e-cigarettes is just migrating from one problem to another.

By Dhanusha Gokulan

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Published: Sat 13 Oct 2018, 7:00 PM

Last updated: Sat 13 Oct 2018, 10:00 PM

India's top oncology surgeons are advising smokers to steer clear of e-cigarettes as the effects of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) will hit only after several years of consumption.
Even though e-cigarettes, in general, are substantially less harmful than smoking cigarettes, its long-term health effects are still unknown. "I wouldn't recommend the use of e-cigarettes as its true risks are not clearly defined," explained Dr Anil D'cruz, director at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, and professor and surgeon at the department of head and neck surgery.
"Weaning off cigarettes to consume e-cigarettes is just migrating from one problem to another."
Leading Indian oncology surgeons Dr D'cruz, and Dr S Kannan, fellow (head and neck oncology) Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, spoke to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the 10th UAE Cancer Congress in Dubai. Head and neck cancer is a group of cancer that starts in the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands.
Symptoms for head and neck cancer may include a lump or sore that does not heal, a sore throat that does not go away, trouble swallowing, or a change in the voice explained Dr S Kannan. Speaking about e-cigarettes, Dr Kannan said he too does not recommend its use as its long-term effects continue to be largely unknown.
Though there has been a small drop in tobacco-related cancer, according to Dr Kannan, there is an urgent need to address lifestyle-related issues that cause diseases such as cancer. "People need to exercise, consume healthy food, and keep moving. In fact, sitting for long hours is still a lot more harmful than cigarettes," said Dr Kannan.
The doctor also explained that 10 per cent of global cancer deaths is due to head and neck cancer. He added: "In India and South East Asia, 10 per cent of cancers are head and neck. While it is only four to five per cent among their American counterparts," he explained.
Of the cancer cases in India, 80 to 90 per cent are caused by tobacco consumption. A small per cent of the cancers is hereditary in nature. "Tobacco consumption and poor lifestyle choices continue to be one of the leading causes of cancer," said Dr Kannan.
Dr D'cruz, who has been attending the UAE Cancer Congress for five years, was recently confirmed as the president-elect of Union of International Cancer Control (UICC). He will take charge in 2020. Dr D'cruz may be the first Indian or South East Asian to take over as president-elect of UICC.
Dr D'cruz said one of the agendas of the UICC is to increase the presence of Gulf states. "There are a few major areas we work within the UICC. One is advocacy, second is to convene, and the third is capacity building. There are few other aspects of cancer control that needs to be looked into. For example, the use of morphine, which is a very essential painkiller for cancer patients, especially those in advanced stages," he explained. "However, the chances of misuse of morphine are high and it is hard to procure," he added.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com  
 


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