"Paan" chewing can cause throat cancer

Chewing betel quid or “paan” increases the risk for developing throat cancer.

Betel quid or “paan” consists of betel leaf from the piper betel vine is very popular in many parts of Asia. It is chewed for its stimulant effects, to satisfy hunger and as a social and cultural practice. The effects of “paan” chewing with or without tobacco, alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking have been well documented in the oral cavity but not in the throat or voice box.

Researchers from the National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan examined 148 men with throat cancer, 128 men with cancer of the voice box, and 255 men without either of the cancers, who served as controls.

“Paan” chewing was significantly and independently associated with an eight fold increased risk of throat cancer. However, no significant association was observed between “paan” chewing and cancer of the voice box. Those who consumed more than 20 “paans” a day or swallowed the “paan” juices had a higher risk. The investigators observed a synergistic effect of these risk factors for both cancers of the throat and voice box.

It was found that the quantity of exposure and the direct contact of the carcinogens to the mucus membrane appear to enhance the cancer process. Hence, further studies to explore the associations between “paan” chewing and cancers of the digestive tract and its effects on other systems of humans are necessary.