British Asian population facing ‘incredibly high’ mouth cancer risk, doctor warns

Dr Chet Trivedy, who is an A&E consultant at Kingston Hospital in London, believes common cultural habits in many British-Asian communities, such as tobacco and betel (areca) nut chewing, is placing thousands at severe risk of developing mouth cancer.

Dr Trivedy, who is also a dentist and trustee of the Oral Health Foundation, says chewing tobacco and betel nut increases a person’s risk of developing mouth cancer by up to seven times.

Highlighting the significance of the issue, Dr Trivedy, wants more British Asians to be aware of the dangers of chewing products containing betel nut and tobacco, also referred to as ‘paan’ or ‘paan masala’, and emphasises the need for greater education about its links to mouth cancer.

Dr Trivedy says, “I grew up in the Gujarati (Indian) community in Britain and have seen first-hand the devastating effect that mouth cancer can have on our community, not only through my work but also on a personal level. I am therefore incredibly keen to draw attention to this major problem.”