Jakarta (ANTARA) – An oncology (cancer) surgeon and doctor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Dr. dr. Diani Kartini, SpB(K)Onk said that 75 to 85 percent of head and neck cancer cases are caused by tobacco use.
The use of tobacco includes smoking hand-rolled cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and even consuming chewing tobacco regularly.
“Tobacco is the biggest risk factor for head and neck cancer, including oral hygiene,” said Diani in an online discussion at Medistra Hospital, Friday.
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Diani said head and neck cancer is a term used to define cancer that develops in the mouth, throat, nose, salivary glands, or other areas of the head and neck. This cancer usually appears in the squamous cells that line the mouth, throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).
Because of its location in the respiratory tract, head and neck cancer and the side effects of its treatment can interfere with the sufferer’s ability to eat, swallow and breathe.
Diani said that the most common types of head and neck cancer in Indonesia are cancer of the nasopharynx, thyroid and oral cavity.
“The symptom of the thyroid is a lump in the neck, for oral cancer the number is less but this is serious, one of the characteristics is canker sores that don’t heal for more than two weeks,” explained Diani.
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Apart from tobacco, consuming alcohol regularly is also the biggest risk factor for head and neck cancer. Diani advised the public to be more concerned with personal health rather than prioritizing temporary gratification, such as avoiding tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise are the best solutions for all diseases.
It is known, Indonesia occupies the 3rd position after India and China with the highest number of smokers in the world. Statista Consumer Insights noted that there were 112 million smokers in Indonesia in 2021, and this number is projected to increase to 123 million smokers in 2030. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2018 recorded the number of Indonesian male smokers aged over 15 years reaching 62.9 percent.
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2023-08-25 14:11:45
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