Source 8

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World Health Organization 7 August 2003
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IARC Monographs Programme finds betel-quid and areca-nut chewing carcinogenic to humans
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World Health Organization World Health Organization
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Betel-quid and areca-nut chewing is a traditional habit widely practiced in many parts of Asia. Betel quid generally consists of betel leaf (from the Piper betel vine), areca nut (from the Areca catechu tree), and slaked lime (predominantly calcium hydroxide), to which tobacco is often added. Other ingredients and flavoring agents can be included according to local preferences and practices. A previous evaluation in 1985 had found that chewing betel quid with tobacco is carcinogenic to humans. The new evaluation goes further to conclude that chewing betel quid without tobacco is also carcinogenic to humans. The working group also concluded that the areca nut, a common component of many different chewing habits, is carcinogenic to humans. Betel quid is chewed for many reasons, including for its stimulant effects, to satisfy hunger, to sweeten the breath, and as a social and cultural practice.
The expert working group has determined that betel quid with tobacco causes oral cancer, cancer of the pharynx, and cancer of the oesophagus in humans. Betel quid without tobacco is now known to cause oral cancer in humans. Areca nut, a common component of all betel quid preparations, has been observed to cause oral submucous fibrosis (a pre-cancerous condition that can progress to malignant oral cancer), leading to the determination that areca nut itself is carcinogenic to humans.
Oral cancers are more common in parts of the world where betel quid is chewed. Of the 390,000 oral and oro-pharyngeal cancers estimated to occur annually in the world, 228,000 (58%) occur in South and South-East Asia. In some parts of India, oral cancer is the most common cancer.
Aggressive advertising, targeted at the middle class and at children, has enhanced the sales and use of these products. In some parts of India, almost one out of three children and teenagers regularly or occasionally chew these products. Some have viewed such products without tobacco (for example, pan masala) as a safe alternative to betel quid with tobacco. The evidence shows that these products have led to oral disease, even among children, and that use of these products cannot be considered safe. Several states in India have begun to regulate these products, and reductions in oral disease and oral cancer can be expected to follow from reductions in their use.
This article displays another aspect of oral care that I had not taken into consideration. It is interesting how common of a practice this is among the people there, but it can be compared to the availability and use of cigarettes in the US. It is sad to see how prevalent this is, even among the youth, and the effects that it can have on health. In another research paper I read they mentioned the percentage of people that use pan masala. It is sad that addictive substances have been used to hook the people who use it.
I am curious what the awareness of this carcinogen is among the people there. It would be interesting to determine what other common foods are detrimental to health. This whole topic is interesting because it is such a common practice among the people of India and relevant to many of them. If I were to pick this as a research topic, I would have to decide how to survey or research more about it. This topics opens the door for me to explore other things that are common among the people of India that cause oral and general health problems.