Kolkata, May 30, 2026: HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata , commemorated World No Tobacco Day with an awareness programme and oral hygiene screening initiative for students and faculty members from educational institutions around the hospital today, underlining the importance of early detection, tobacco cessation and preventive cancer care.
Close to 1 lakh new oral cancer cases are detected in India annually, and many of them in an advanced stage, given that tobacco is a “silent killer”.
The screening focused on identifying warning signs in the oral cavity and head-and-neck region that may need further evaluation. Participants were checked for red or white patches on the buccal mucosa, or inner wall of the cheeks, palate, tongue and lips, counselled about the dangers of non-bleeding ulcers, swelling and changed voice. The initiative formed part of HCG’s centre-wide Prevent Addiction Avoid Nicotine (PAAN) campaign , launched ahead of World No Tobacco Day. The campaign uses paan shop-inspired kiosks to draw attention to the risks of tobacco, conduct oral screenings and reinforce prevention messaging through hard-hitting visual communication.
The chief guest at awareness programme, Prof Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Pro Chancellor, Techno India Group Universities & Central Academic Leader , expressed concern over the growing incidence of disease associated with tobacco abuse despite the knowledge of the harmful fallouts of tobacco abuse. “Let us all take a vow to stay away from tobacco and with conviction spread the message to all in our circle,” he said.
In a bid to portray how deep the tobacco abuse menace is, Prof Jacob Islary, HOD, Master of Social Work, St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, recounted organising a similar event 15 years ago in Assam. “I had a trying time convincing doctors there not to chew gutkha just before they were to conduct a screening cum awareness programme. Thank god no one is chewing tobacco in this hall,” he said in a lighter vein.
Dr Shreya Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, Head & Neck Oncosurgery, HCG Kolkata , said: “Of the OPD patients I see, 80% are suffering from oral cancer and of them 50% succumb to the disease because they come to us in are advanced stages.” “Believe me there is nothing cool about smoking,” she added.
“We focused our screening initiative on young people because they can be powerful partners in helping society stay a step ahead of head-and-neck cancers. Scientific awareness and conviction in one young mind can travel far — to families, peer groups and the wider community,” said Dr Rupali Basu, Regional Business Head, East & AP, HCG Cancer Hospitals
Oral Screening: Checks & Counselling
Screening checks
Red or white patches on the inner cheeks, palate, tongue and lips;
Non-bleeding ulcers
Swelling in the head-and-neck region
Persistent change in voice.
Counselling focus
Participants advised that both chewing tobacco and tobacco smoke can increase the risk of head-and-neck cancers, besides lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
About HCG Cancer Hospital, Kolkata
HCG Cancer Centre, Newtown, Kolkata, is a dedicated single-specialty cancer hospital offering comprehensive cancer care across medical, surgical and radiation oncology. Part of HCG — Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd., one of India’s largest cancer care networks — the Kolkata centre follows a multidisciplinary approach, bringing diagnosis, treatment, technology and specialist expertise under one roof. Accredited by NABH under the 5th edition standards, the hospital is equipped with advanced facilities including robotic surgery, CAR-T cell therapy, LINAC and PET-CT, among others. With a strong focus on patient-centric care, early detection, screening and innovation, HCG remains committed to adding “life to years” through specialised cancer care.
