NAGPUR, NOV 27: A group of epidemologists associated with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), has said that an Oral Sub-Mucous Fibrosis (a pre-cancerous condition) epidemic may break out in five to 10 years' time.Two decades ago, oral cancer cases in the country had actually shown a downward trend said Dr Prakash Gupta, head of the group and chairman of the UICC Tobacco Control Programme for South Asia.Dr Gupta told newspersons here that the sudden rise in OSMF cases can be attributed to the increasing intake of gutkha and areca nut products, introduced in Indian markets around two decades ago.
Dr Gupta is in the city to participate in the Seventh National Conference of the Indian Academy of Oral Pathologists, to commence tomorrow.
Dr Gupta said the disease, considered two decades ago to be rare, affecting only older people, is beginning to be seen in patients below 35 years of age, especially children. About 80 per cent of the country's OSMF patients are below 35 years of age, Dr Guptasaid.
There is no universally recognised cure for OSMF and about 10 per cent of the patients suffering from this disease go on to develop oral cancer at a later stage, he adds. Patients suffering from OSMF run 400 times the risk of getting oral cancer than normal people, Dr Gupta said.
Dr Gupta said about 6.3 lakh Indians die of tobacco-related diseases every year.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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