In Papua New Guinea, the majority of the adult population chews betel nut. Per capita oral cancer rate It is the highest in the world. It is also the most common form of cancer in men, and the second most common in women.
In a country with a weak medical system and a small number of specialists, most people are likely to die without being diagnosed. The Northern Mariana Islands has a stronger health care system and the likelihood of people being affected is higher. However, betel nut still causes great damage to public health. And it’s not just about cancer.
“There is a growing list of systemic problems associated with betel nut: heart problems, kidney, liver, and adverse outcomes during pregnancy. The story that is currently unfolding is that betel nut is actually similar to alcohol and tobacco. “It should be thought independently,” says William Moss.
In the Northern Mariana Islands, most people who chew betel nut are still unaware of the dangers. research study Mr. Moss was also involved. “Of the 300 chewers, a whopping 87 percent didn’t know that betel nut is a carcinogen,” he says.
It’s been 20 years since betel nut was classified as carcinogenic, but its sale remains largely unregulated in most parts of the world and there are few warnings about the health risks. Moss argues that this is reminiscent of the situation with cigarettes in the middle of the last century, when sales were unregulated despite known health risks.
“It took international cooperation to bring Big Tobacco to the table and hold it accountable. We have a billion-dollar, powerful industry here too, but our target consumers are alienated and at the bare minimum. These are poor people with only a 100% education,” he says.