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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Imported arecanut packets pose fresh health threat by CAROL ALOYSIUS Health authorities are seriously concerned over the increasing number of small packets of arecanuts imported allegedly from Pakistan and India, which have begun flooding the open market. Sources said that chewing the small pieces of arecanut contained in the packets has become a regular habit among both adults and schoolchildren. They warned that if consumed regularly for a period of three to four years, the habit could lead to oral cancer. Betel chewing is one of the main contributory causes for oral cancer. "These arecanut pieces contain a substance called Arecoline which can cause sub-mucous fibrosis , a condition that eventually leads to oral cancer" a health source said." Patients who suffer from this condition experience a burning sensation in the mouth and have difficulties in opening their mouth as well", he pointed out. "At the latter stages they will be unable to speak". These tiny packets, nominally priced for the low budget consumer, are freely available and sold even outside school gates, sources said."Our fear is that it can become an addiction like betel chewing which also leads to oral cancer", sources said. The "Sunday Observer" learns, that several patients have already been treated for oral cancer after consuming the contents of the arecanut packets. An estimated 19 per cent of all cancers in Sri Lanka are believed to be oral cancers. Every year between 1,500 to 2,000 patients visit the hospitals islandwide to be treated for oral cancer, Dr. A. A. H. K. Amarasinghe, Program Officer for Cancer control, Ministry of Health told the "Sunday Observer". The Health Ministry is currently conducting a national Oral Health survey for the year 2002 to evaluate the number of patients suffering from various dental diseases,according to their age , districts etc, and the causes of such diseases. The survey is expected to be completed by early next year. The last such national survey on oral health was done in 1994/95. |
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