A 57 year old lady , with a good socio-economic background, had visited me for an ulcer on her lower lip around 3 months back, and it was increasing at a rapid pace.
She had consulted many hospitals, who confirmed the lesion to be a lip cancer. She did not use any form of tobacco yet she had developed lip cancer. What could be the cause?
None of the hospitals, which she had visited earlier for investigation of her ulcer, were able to diagnose the causative agent. Over and above she affirmed that she was not a tobacco user. Her oral cavity was not healthy and definitely some thing was missing. It did not also look that she was telling a lie, and it also seemed that she wouldn’t use tobacco knowingly.
So we went ahead to ask her of her habit and any special toothpaste or gargle she would use. It was then that we came to know that since childhood all her family members including herself were using a special toothpaste. She also said that she feels good after using the toothpaste.
This toothpaste was the causative agent of lip cancer in her lower lips. She was shocked to know the real cause of her cancer. This was her invisible tobacco that made her feel refreshed and good after using it. It is therefore important to realize the effects of products we are using in everyday life. We need to be alert about the unusual pleasantness or any other change that is happening in the body with a product because it might be a reason for cancer.