Areca Nut Chewing and Oesophageal Cancer: Need for Public Health Measures

Oesophageal cancer remains an important public health problem worldwide. It is currently the 8th most common human cancer and 6th most common cause of cancer-related deaths [1]. Annually about half a million new cases of oesophageal cancer and about same the number of related deaths occurs worldwide. Of these oesophageal cancer cases and related deaths, approximately 84% occur in less developed countries particularly in Asia [1]. Most people diagnosed with oesophageal cancer die within five years. The most common histologic types of oesophageal cancer are squamous-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Globally oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma is the most common (90%) subtype, specifically in Eastern countries [1]. Cigarette smoking, highalcohol intake, low intake of raw fruits and vegetables, ingestion of coarse and raw foods are recognized risk factors for oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma in western populations and together may account for up to 98% of the oesophageal carcinoma cases [1]. However, epidemiologic profile of oesophageal cancer varies across the globe depending upon lifestyle and nutritional factors.