WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Chewing betel nut quid is associated with aggressive oral cancers, and public health campaigns are needed to discourage betel nut quid use in Asian and Pacific Island cultures, U.S. researchers say.
They also recommend that doctors in the United States and other Western countries receive information about the detection and treatment of oral tumors caused by chewing betel nut quid, a habit that's accompanying Asian and Pacific immigrants to their new homes.
Many Western doctors may not be aware of the link between chewing betel nut quid and oral cancer, according to a study presented at the International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, which runs from Aug. 7 to 11 in Washington, D.C.
Betel nuts come from the Areca palm tree. Betel nut quid is made using betel nut, betel leaf, and lime. It sometimes includes tobacco. Betel nut quid, which is addictive, is chewed and kept compressed against the inside of the mouth from five minutes to several hours.
This study found that the inner lining of the cheeks and lips were the primary tumor sites for oral cancer associated with betel nut quid use. Other primary sites included the tongue, lower lip, tonsil and floor of the mouth.
More information
The American Cancer Society has more about oral cancer.
