Oral Cancer Research Insights

Oral cancer has always been occupying a central stage in disease Oral cancer has always been occupying a central stage in disease pathology in India, and it is even true today.
TIFR study was undertaken to understand the significance of tobacco habits vis-à-vis oral cancer/ precancer. This was a path breaking study supported by National Institute of Health (NIH), USA for more than 30 years in 7 different rural areas of India, covering over 200000 population, and the results have established a significant link between tobacco and oral precancer cancer. The presentation would include the various patterns of tobacco habits in our country and its association leading to different types of clinical diseases in different locations of the mouth.

The study also brings out in depth the relevance of an enigmatic disease of Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis in its pattern of distribution vis-à-vis habits.

The relevance of the conclusions arrived at was the cardinal fact of the spontaneous or instructed reversibility of precancer, and the absolute irreversibility of a fait accompli cancer is the heart of this communication, compelling us all to profitably prioritize our attention on oral precancer, rather than end up with only palliation of an obstinate cancer, helping to prevent morbidity and mortality. The significant benefit to the society was the ban of paan masala and gutkha in Maharashtra because of the TIFR studies as per the Government Gazette Order. Our Basic Dental Research Unit (BDRU) was also recognised as WHO Collaborating Centre for prevention of oral cancer.

 

About Dr.Dinesh K. Daftary:

Dr.Dinesh K. Daftary, Former Professor of Nair Hospital Dental College, and Former Consultant Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, honoured with Fellowship of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons by University of Glasgow, UK, FDSRCPS has been involved in extensive research on oral precancer cancer in rural India for over 30 years, along with Dr. Fali Mehta and the team, the research base being Basic Dental Research Unit, TIFR. The study was funded by National Institute of Health, Bethesda, USA.

This path-breaking study resulted in significant conclusions, helping Govt. of Maharashtra introduce the ban of paan-masala, gutkha and other tobacco products .WHO also granted the dental research unit of TIFR, a special status of WHO Collaborating centre of oral precancerous lesions.

Dr.Daftary has been awarded with various honours, here and abroad.

He has more than 80 scientific publications and is co-editor of the book ‘Oral Diseases in the Tropics’ published by Oxford Press, London, UK.

He has been a visiting Professor for the University of South Africa as well as Ras-Al-Khaimah, UAE.

He also maintains active dental practice.