A review of social and behavioral efforts at oral cancer preventions in India.
BACKGROUND
Oral cancer is a major public health problem in South-Central Asia, home to one fifth of the world's population. In most regions of India, it is the most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women. Prevention is an effective tool to reduce disease burden on society and may offer particular advantages in developing countries.


METHODS
The primary and secondary oral cancer prevention efforts in India were reviewed and presented. In addition, the scope of the oral cancer problem and the tobacco industry in India are discussed, and the chief etiologies in the region are summarized.


CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of these prevention efforts provides an excellent social/behavioral model for similar programs in other developing countries. Furthermore, similar programs may also be applicable to certain populations in schools or industries in the developed world.
Sturgis
Erich M
EM
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA. esturgis@mdanderson.org
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology