Oral cancer is a serious and rising health concern in India, with around **77,000 new cases** and **over 52,000 deaths** this year. It mainly affects men over 40 but can also occur in women. “Early detection is often challenging,” making the disease more deadly.

Tobacco—smoked or chewed—is the leading cause. This includes cigarettes, bidis, gutka, and khaini. Alcohol greatly increases the risk, especially when combined with tobacco, as “the combination has a multiplying effect.”

Betel-nut products, widely used in many regions, contain **arecoline**, a chemical that damages oral tissues and promotes cancer. Prolonged sun exposure to the lips, especially in outdoor workers, can also trigger cancer, mainly on the lower lip.

Common warning signs are persistent mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, unexplained bleeding, and lumps in the mouth or neck. Sadly, “these signs are often ignored until the disease reaches an advanced stage.”

Experts urge regular dental checkups, quitting tobacco and alcohol, and seeking medical advice for any unusual oral changes. Public awareness and prevention are vital to reducing cases of this largely preventable but deadly disease.