Category: Oral Cancer

Healthcare articles on oral care management, prevention and screening for early detection of oral cancers.

Taming Oral Cancer in Odisha: A Community-Driven Call to Action

By Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta
 MS (Gen Surgery), M.Ch. (Surgical Oncology), FAIS, FSOG
 Founder – ICanCaRe | Surgical Oncologist | Tobacco Cessation Advocate
 📍 LinkedIn | 🌐 www.drpawangupta.in
 📧 pawan@icancare.com | ☎️ 9773856664

🧠 Why Odisha Needs Urgent Intervention

Odisha holds the unfortunate distinction of having one of the highest oral cancer incidence rates in the world. The prime culprit? Chewing tobacco—widely consumed in forms like Khaini, Gudaku, Gutka, and Paan.

Despite being a highly preventable and early-detectable disease, oral cancer is claiming thousands of lives due to delayed intervention and lack of awareness.

🗓️ A Powerful Dialogue with Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar

On April 21, 2025, I had the privilege of conducting an impactful session titled:

“Taming Oral Cancer in Odisha – The Need for Tobacco MARSHALS”

This was hosted by the oldest Rotary Club in Odisha and presided over by:

  • President: Mr. Jnana Ranjan Rath

  • Secretary: Mr. Saroj Ku Mohapatra

  • Coordinator: Mr. Biswajit Patra

The interaction was spirited, solutions-driven, and community-committed.

🔍 The Stark Reality

  • 📌 50%+ of tobacco chewers are likely to develop oral cancer.

  • 📌 11.3% of youth (aged 15–17) in Odisha already use tobacco – well above the national average.

  • 📌 Most patients present in Stage III or IV, when outcomes are poor and costs are high.

🛠️ Our Mission: SAVE the Youth Campaign

We introduced the SAVE model, which forms the backbone of our strategy:

S.A.V.E.

Action

S – Sensitization

Schools, Colleges, Corporates, Communities

A – Assistance

Quitlines, Apps, Online Consults, E-pharmacy

V – Volunteering

Training of Tobacco MARSHALS

E – Enforcement

Tobacco-free zones, Policy Advocacy

We also showcased easy self-screening tools like:

  • 🔹 The Chota Daana Test

  • 🔹 The Four Finger Mouth Opening Test

💬 Community Speaks, Support Rises

Several community leaders stepped forward:

  • Mr. Arun Ku Rath and Mrs. Gitu Rath committed full support to expand the SAVE the youth campaign across Odisha and in Odia communities in Delhi.

  • Mr. Tanmay Das proposed setting up a dedicated Oral Cancer Centre, managed by ICanCaRe.

  • Mr. Prerit Gupta (Gupta Distributors) pledged sponsorship for the Tobacco MARSHAL starter kits.

Also present was Dr. Mami Parija, Devi Awardee and founder of Amrit Dhara Palliative Unit, who strongly advocated prevention care.

🔬 Innovation Meets Compassion

I demonstrated TrisCaRe—our patented device to help individuals with restricted mouth opening (a common side-effect of tobacco use).
 Combined with our ICanCaRe App, trained specialists, and community outreach, this forms a robust, scalable model for real change.

🚀 Be Part of the Movement

We’re not just treating cancer—we’re preventing it.

You can be part of the solution:

✅ Volunteer as a Tobacco MARSHAL
 ✅ Help establish a cessation or screening centre
 ✅ Adopt the SAVE model in your school, office, or city
 ✅ Support us in taking this to the last mile

🧩 Let’s shift from “Why me?” to “Not me!”

💬 Final Word

The passion is high, the need is urgent, and the execution has begun.
 Together, we can make Odisha a global example in cancer prevention and youth wellness.

📩 For partnerships, volunteering, or program details:

🌐 www.icancare.com
 📧 support@icancare.com | ☎️ 9773856664
 📲 Download the ICanCaRe App

🔖 Tags:

#OralCancer #TobaccoControl #TobaccoMarshal #SAVEtheYouth #ICanCaRe #ChotaDaana #OdishaHealth #QuitTobacco #TrisCaRe #CancerPrevention #BeSmartDoNotStart #HealthAwareness

Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta MS ( Gensurgery) M.Ch. (OncoSurgery), FAIS, FSOG

PROFILE of PAWAN GUPTA

www.linkedin.com/in/drpawangupta

www.drpawangupta.in

pawan@icancare.com

Dr. Pawan Gupta inducted as Life Member of International Photodynamic Association

🎉 Proud to Share! 🎉

Honored to be granted Life Membership of the International Photodynamic Association (IPA) — a global community dedicated to advancing photodiagnosis, photodynamic therapy, and photomedicine.

🔹 Membership ID: #457
 🔹 Date of Induction: 31.03.2025

Being a part of this prestigious association strengthens my commitment to pushing boundaries in light-based cancer diagnostics and therapy — an area I’ve passionately pursued in clinical practice and innovation.

Looking forward to continued collaborations, research, and impactful progress in the field of Photodynamic Therapy and Photomedicine.

#IPA #PhotodynamicTherapy #LightForLife #Photomedicine #InnovationInOncology #ICanCaRe #PDT #OralCancer #Photobiomodulation #GlobalResearch #PawanGupta

Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch.

PROFILE of PAWAN GUPTA

www.linkedin.com/in/drpawangupta

www.drpawangupta.in

pawan@icancare.com

A Conversation at Amrit Dhara – Why Prevention Must Walk Hand in Hand with Palliative Care for Oral Cancers in Odisha

I recently had the privilege of spending time at Amrit Dhara with Dr. Mami Parija, a Devi Awardee, and her incredible team. Our discussion, though informal, touched on some of the most pressing and emotional realities of cancer care in Odisha.

What came up quickly in our exchange was the alarming prevalence of oral cancer in Odisha, and more importantly, the fact that most cases are diagnosed at Stage IV. It’s a stage where curative options are few and suffering is immense.

That’s where palliative care becomes critical. Not as an afterthought, but from the very point of diagnosis. It’s not just about easing pain—it’s about restoring dignity, offering emotional support, and helping families navigate an incredibly difficult journey. The anguish is real, and the guilt is often overwhelming. I’ve heard patients say:

“Why didn’t anyone tell me tobacco was this dangerous?”
 “Why couldn’t someone help me quit?”

These aren’t isolated voices. They represent a collective regret that society could have done more, earlier.

We also reflected on how tobacco addiction is no longer a ‘bad habit’—it’s a medical condition, one that can and must be treated like any other chronic disease. The path from addiction to cessation is scientific and structured, and support is available.

At ICanCaRe, we’ve been working on campaigns like ‘SAVE the Youth’, which focuses on:

  • KNOW TOBACCO – Spreading awareness of the real risks

  • CHOTA DHANA – Behavioral nudges to resist first use

  • STAGE ZERO detection – Identifying lesions before they become cancer

  • Tobacco Cessation (QUIT) – Structured, evidence-based treatment for all users

Yet, even as we continue these efforts, the need for palliative care cannot be overlooked. For thousands already diagnosed late, it remains their only refuge.

But perhaps the most important realization we shared that day was this: Prevention and early detection must become our collective priority. They are the only true solutions that can save lives, reduce financial burden, and protect the environment in the long run.

Our conversation ended not with a conclusion, but with a renewed sense of responsibility.

It’s time for governments, corporates (through CSR), and healthcare systems to channel energy and resources into preventive models. Because every life saved early is a journey spared from unnecessary suffering.

 #ICanCaRe #OralCancer #PreventiveHealth #PalliativeCare #PublicHealth #CSR #TobaccoCessation #CancerAwareness #SaveTheYouth #amritdhara #odisha

Author: Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch.

Founder –  ICanCaRe

Sr. Director – MAX Vaishali

Oral Cancer Surgeon | Tobacco Cessation Expert

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/meaningful-exchange-amrit-dhara-reflections-preventive-care-el5vc

PROFILE of PAWAN GUPTA

www.linkedin.com/in/drpawangupta

www.drpawangupta.in

pawan@icancare.com