Cancer causing chewing habits and related oral lesions – A comparative study among females of socio-culturally different areas of West Bengal

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco, as well as areca-nut both, causes cancerous and precancerous lesions of the oral cavity. The traditional value of India, as well as West Bengal do not allow females for smoking, but there is no such disapproval for using smokeless tobacco or areca nut. Geographically and socio-culturally, the Northern part of West Bengal differs from its Southern part. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of different chewing habits, habit products, and habit-related different oral lesions among females in two socio-culturally different areas of West Bengal. METHODS: A total of 222 women from areas of North Bengal and 173 women from areas of South Bengal aged 15 years and above were selected. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire. An oral cavity examination was done to rule out any oral mucosal alterations caused by cancer-causing habits. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test or Fischer's exact tests were used to compare unpaired proportions as appropriate. RESULTS: In areas of the northern part of Bengal, 42.34% of females were chewers, and in areas of the southern part of Bengal 18.50% of females were chewers. Younger female chewers were more from areas of the northern part of Bengal. Women, residing in different areas of the northern part of Bengal had more habit-related oral lesions, compared to the southern part of Bengal. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be given to increasing awareness regarding chewing habit-related health hazards among females, especially in areas of North Bengal.