As a part of ongoing World Oral Cancer Screening Month in April, the Dental Unit of the District Hospital National Oral Health Program, Wokha organized an Oral Cancer Awareness and Screening event at Fernbrook School Wokha on Saturday where a total of 125 students and staff members participated.
During her presentation, Dr Daisy, Senior Dental Surgeon and District Nodal Officer (DNO), National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) emphasized the importance of routine dental check-ups in facilitating early oral cancer detection, which can significantly improve survival rates and discussed major risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption.
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She also briefed 20 Tobacco-Free Home Ambassadors, along with other students and teachers, during the screening program. The Tobacco-Free Home initiative, launched recently by the State Tobacco Control Cell Nagaland, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco use and motivate students to establish tobacco-free households. As a result of this initiative, 20 families were equipped to establish Tobacco-Free Homes as ambassadors, serving as a guiding light for their communities.
The detrimental effects of tobacco consumption and information on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) Sections 4 and 6 were highlighted. Section 4 prohibits smoking in public places to safeguard non-smokers, while Section 6 bans the sale of tobacco products to minors and within 100 meters of educational institutions.
Additionally, Tshopeü Khutsoh, a psychologist from NTCP, conducted a special counselling session emphasizing the significance of abstaining from tobacco use.
The students of Fernbrook School also actively participated in Quiz competition.
In India, approximately 77,000 new oral cancer cases and 52,000 deaths are reported each year. Nagaland ranks 11th in cancer incidence within India and has the world’s second-highest rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.