A new study from researchers at M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences in Bengaluru has revealed a startling link between chewing tobacco and oral cancer in older adults. The study shows that people over the age of 60 who use smokeless tobacco face a 19.5 times higher risk of developing oral cancer compared to those who do not use it.
The findings, published in the Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry, emphasize that age is a major factor in cancer risk. As people grow older, they naturally accumulate more genetic damage and cellular changes. Combined with tobacco use, this makes the risk even higher.
Men and Women Equally at Risk
The study also challenges a common assumption: oral cancer from chewing tobacco is not limited to men. Both men and women across all age groups, including seniors, face equal danger when using smokeless tobacco.
“This kind of tobacco use is harmful to everyone, not just men,” said Dr. Danny John, co-author and public health expert at the university. “Age-related changes in the body, even without tobacco, raise the cancer risk. But when combined with chewing tobacco, the danger increases sharply.”
Extreme Risks From High Use
According to Dr. Amra Sultana, the study’s lead author, the research uncovered even more alarming data. Using betel quid with raw tobacco was linked to a 21-fold increase in oral cancer risk. Those who chewed tobacco more than five times a day saw a 39-fold rise in risk.
Extended use was also dangerous. Chewing tobacco for over 20 years was linked to a nine-fold increase in the likelihood of developing oral cancer.
“This shows a clear dose-response relationship,” said Dr. Sultana. “The more often and longer someone uses smokeless tobacco, the greater the danger.”
Smoked Tobacco Not as Strongly Linked in Seniors
Interestingly, the study did not find a strong statistical link between smoked tobacco — such as cigarettes or beedis — and oral cancer among people over 60. This suggests that smokeless forms of tobacco may pose a greater threat to older individuals than smoking.
How the Study Was Conducted
This was an observational case-control study involving 120 adults from Kaiwara, a town about 70 kilometers from Bengaluru. Among the participants, 30 had oral cancer, and 90 served as controls. The controls were selected from the same local areas as the patients, ensuring fair comparisons.
Researchers gathered detailed information on tobacco habits, including frequency, duration, and type of use.
Key Takeaway
The study offers strong evidence that chewing tobacco dramatically increases oral cancer risk in elderly people, especially when used frequently or for many years. It also highlights that both men and women are equally vulnerable, urging public health experts to push for greater awareness.
“Public education should focus not just on smoking but also on the serious dangers of smokeless tobacco — particularly among older adults,” Dr. John added.
As oral cancer rates continue to rise, this research serves as a powerful reminder of the need for tobacco control efforts across all forms and age groups.
