About 8,000 fresh cases of oral cancer were recorded in Tamil Nadu in 2025, raising alarm over late diagnosis and growing use of smokeless tobacco.
- Data from the Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Programme show a higher incidence among men (11.6 per 1,00,000) than women (5.4 per 1,00,000).
- India carries nearly one-third of the world's oral cavity cancer burden; chewing tobacco, gutka, khaini, zarda, areca nut and beedi smoking are the main causes.
- Between 70 and 80% of Indian cases are detected at an advanced stage, which keeps five-year survival at roughly 50%.