It is a known fact that tobacco consumption is one of the significant causes of head and neck cancers. Dr Satish Rao, oncology surgeon, Lilavati Hospital, highlights the need for quitting tobacco in every form (cigarettes, beedis, and meisheri) and how it can keep head and neck cancers at bay.

Head and Neck cancer constitutes 25 per cent of solid organ cancers. Cancer of the cheek, jaw, and tongue are common cancers of the head and neck. The most common cause of these cancers is the consumption of tobacco and pan masala. Tobacco is either chewed in raw form or smoked in the form of cigarettes and beedis. ‘Meisheri’, a form of tobacco paste is used by rubbing it on teeth – especially underprivileged and rural populations.