92,000 cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year: Dr Hussaini

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) It is estimated that out of the 92,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year, 80 per cent are in the late stages, and those with five-year survival chances are in the range of 30 per cent, according to renowned Dental Surgeon Dr Zahra Hussaini.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Hussaini, who was instrumental in getting the breakthrough brush biopsy test for pre-detection of oral cancer in India, said, ''This means that there is a death in every seven minutes due to oral cancer in our country due to tobacco use, alcohol and 'Paan'.'' Dr Hussaini is the head of the Department at the Center of Advance Oral Care, Nanavati Hospital here, and is also the Director of International Health Continuing Health Education Providers (IHCEP).

She is involved with ''Implant and Asthetic Dentistry'' and is a faculty member of the Cancer Aid Research Foundation.

''Brush biopsy or oral CDx (Oral Scan Laboratories) is a computer-assisted method of analysis of the oral brush biopsy, used in the detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions of the oral mucosa without the use of any incision or even an injection,'' Dr Hussaini explained.

Having conducted various dental check-ups and oral health awareness camps in schools of Mumbai and in rural areas across the country, Dr Hussaini aims that Oral CDx will help in bringing down oral cancer incidents in India.

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