Rising mouth cancer cases among Sri Lanka youth

23 July 2025 12:53 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 4 Bookmark

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By Poojathmi Rivithma

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - A total of 3,300 mouth cancer cases have been reported across Sri Lanka, with increasing numbers linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking, betel chewing and alcohol consumption, Dental Surgeon Dr. Prasanna Jayasekara said.

He noted that mouth cancer is increasingly affecting youth between the ages of 20 and 30.

He said that around 10 new mouth cancer cases are reported daily, with 15% of the cases found among males and 3% among females.

In 2019, there were 231 reported cases of mouth cancer, but by 2021 the disease had led to 1,236 deaths averaging three deaths each day.

The Health Ministry continues its campaigns to educate the public, urging routine dental checks and immediate medical attention for any unusual mouth symptoms.

Comments - 4

Sambo Wednesday, 23 July 2025 07:38 PM

Chewing betel.

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Cassie Wednesday, 23 July 2025 09:06 PM

That is an exponential increase in rates! It must be something they put in vape and cigarettes nowadays. Flavoured vape is one of the worst of the worst.

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Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 23 July 2025 09:13 PM

Beetle eating is the number one cause of cancers in the mouth. Despite such risk, beetle is eaten and theatres corners and road surfaces are full of beetle spits.

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Sarath Gooneratne Thursday, 24 July 2025 09:09 AM

This is serious. Maybe it is something other than smoking, betal chewing and alcohol consumption. Maybe it is due to different sexual practices or some unknown cause. It is important that medical specialists in this medical field addresss this problem urgently and give clear answers so that this problem is addressed properly. We Sri Lankans have a tendancy to sweep some difficult or embarassing subjects under the carpet which does not help to solve serious medical issues.

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