Ahmedabad: The proportion of head and neck cancer patients under age 50 has gone up from 36.5% to 47.4% over the past two decades in Gujarat, according to data from the Ahmedabad Cancer Registry maintained by the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI). These include cancers of the lip, mouth, and tongue, with mouth cancer being the most common type among head and neck cancers, the registry shows. Dr Shashank Pandya, director of GCRI, stated that while tobacco consumption and smoking are not the sole reasons for the development of head and neck cancers, there is a strong correlation between them. “From beedis to mava, and from snuff to gutka, tobacco is consumed in various forms. It increases the chances of developing cancer. The rise in cancer cases at a young age can be seen both as a sign of increased prevalence and improved awareness that is leading to more people seeking medical attention today than ever before,” he said. Analysis of over 16,000 cases annually for the past 20 years shows that men account for nearly 80% of head and neck cancers. The share of male patients aged 30-39 years was 12.3% in 2005, which increased to 17.2% in 2024. At an event organised on Friday to launch an awareness campaign, doctors from Apollo Hospital stated that the burden of oral cancer is relatively higher in Gujarat due to tobacco consumption. Experts said that the cases are often detected at a later stage. “Tobacco users are six to seven times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users. Oral cancer is one of the few cancers that can be detected early through a simple oral examination,” said Dr V R N Vijaykumar, a surgical oncologist at Apollo Cancer Centre. Experts noted that controlling tobacco use is a multi-pronged problem, involving monitoring and enforcing laws to improve awareness among vulnerable groups. They pointed out that rules such as prohibiting sale of tobacco within 100 yards (91 metres) of an educational institution should be followed strictly.