Cytecare, a comprehensive organ-based cancer hospital network with the flagship centre in Bengaluru, announced its intention to set up an information hub in Kolkata.

Speaking on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Dr. Vikram Kekatpure, Senior Consultant, Head & Neck Surgical Oncology,  Cytecare Cancer Hospital, said, "Tobacco related diseases are of the most common preventable lifestyle related conditions. Smoking or chewing tobacco causes oral cancer which is one of most common cancers in India. Oral cancer can be detected early and easily by simple oral screening in high risk individuals. For cure, immediate and appropriate treatment is the key".

The state of West Bengal is overburdened with cancer cases, leading to critical loss of time appointment dates, evaluation of alternatives and medical travel to other parts of the country without a clear plan of action. The Cytecare Information Hub would provide the full navigation.

Kolkata has the unfortunate distinction of being the smoking capital of India. With over 49 per cent of the residents using some form of tobacco on a regular basis, Kolkata comfortably outstrips the national average of 43 per cent. In fact, the average smoker in Kolkata smokes over 8 to 10 cigarettes a day, almost double that of second placed Mumbai. On a global scale, tobacco use is responsible for over 6 million deaths per year across the world.

Tobacco use is primarily known to cause head and neck cancer, which can affect the lips, tongue, mouth, larynx (voice box), pharynx, salivary glands, sinuses. Tobacco use may also lead to cancer in the lung, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.