Taming Oral Cancer in Odisha: A Community-Driven Call to Action

By Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta
MS (Gen Surgery), M.Ch. (Surgical Oncology), FAIS, FSOG
Founder – ICanCaRe | Surgical Oncologist | Tobacco Cessation Advocate
📍 LinkedIn | 🌐 www.drpawangupta.in
📧 pawan@icancare.com | ☎️ 9773856664

🧠 Why Odisha Needs Urgent Intervention

Odisha holds the unfortunate distinction of having one of the highest oral cancer incidence rates in the world. The prime culprit? Chewing tobacco—widely consumed in forms like Khaini, Gudaku, Gutka, and Paan.

Despite being a highly preventable and early-detectable disease, oral cancer is claiming thousands of lives due to delayed intervention and lack of awareness.

🗓️ A Powerful Dialogue with Rotary Club of Bhubaneswar

On April 21, 2025, I had the privilege of conducting an impactful session titled:

“Taming Oral Cancer in Odisha – The Need for Tobacco MARSHALS”

This was hosted by the oldest Rotary Club in Odisha and presided over by:

  • President: Mr. Jnana Ranjan Rath

  • Secretary: Mr. Saroj Ku Mohapatra

  • Coordinator: Mr. Biswajit Patra

The interaction was spirited, solutions-driven, and community-committed.

🔍 The Stark Reality

  • 📌 50%+ of tobacco chewers are likely to develop oral cancer.

  • 📌 11.3% of youth (aged 15–17) in Odisha already use tobacco – well above the national average.

  • 📌 Most patients present in Stage III or IV, when outcomes are poor and costs are high.

🛠️ Our Mission: SAVE the Youth Campaign

We introduced the SAVE model, which forms the backbone of our strategy:

S.A.V.E.

Action

S – Sensitization

Schools, Colleges, Corporates, Communities

A – Assistance

Quitlines, Apps, Online Consults, E-pharmacy

V – Volunteering

Training of Tobacco MARSHALS

E – Enforcement

Tobacco-free zones, Policy Advocacy

We also showcased easy self-screening tools like:

  • 🔹 The Chota Daana Test

  • 🔹 The Four Finger Mouth Opening Test

💬 Community Speaks, Support Rises

Several community leaders stepped forward:

  • Mr. Arun Ku Rath and Mrs. Gitu Rath committed full support to expand the SAVE the youth campaign across Odisha and in Odia communities in Delhi.

  • Mr. Tanmay Das proposed setting up a dedicated Oral Cancer Centre, managed by ICanCaRe.

  • Mr. Prerit Gupta (Gupta Distributors) pledged sponsorship for the Tobacco MARSHAL starter kits.

Also present was Dr. Mami Parija, Devi Awardee and founder of Amrit Dhara Palliative Unit, who strongly advocated prevention care.

🔬 Innovation Meets Compassion

I demonstrated TrisCaRe—our patented device to help individuals with restricted mouth opening (a common side-effect of tobacco use).
Combined with our ICanCaRe App, trained specialists, and community outreach, this forms a robust, scalable model for real change.

🚀 Be Part of the Movement

We’re not just treating cancer—we’re preventing it.

You can be part of the solution:

✅ Volunteer as a Tobacco MARSHAL
✅ Help establish a cessation or screening centre
✅ Adopt the SAVE model in your school, office, or city
✅ Support us in taking this to the last mile

🧩 Let’s shift from “Why me?” to “Not me!”

💬 Final Word

The passion is high, the need is urgent, and the execution has begun.
Together, we can make Odisha a global example in cancer prevention and youth wellness.

📩 For partnerships, volunteering, or program details:

🌐 www.icancare.com
📧 support@icancare.com | ☎️ 9773856664
📲 Download the ICanCaRe App

🔖 Tags:

#OralCancer #TobaccoControl #TobaccoMarshal #SAVEtheYouth #ICanCaRe #ChotaDaana #OdishaHealth #QuitTobacco #TrisCaRe #CancerPrevention #BeSmartDoNotStart #HealthAwareness

Prof. Dr. Pawan Gupta MS ( Gensurgery) M.Ch. (OncoSurgery), FAIS, FSOG

PROFILE of PAWAN GUPTA

www.linkedin.com/in/drpawangupta

www.drpawangupta.in

pawan@icancare.com

Unlock Wellness: Solutions to Your Health Challenges

Online Wellness Seminar Hosted by Max Institute of Cancer Care, Vaishali and Rotary Clubs

**Event Title**: Unlock Wellness: Solutions to Your Health Challenges

**Date**: November 25, 2023

Organizers:

– Rotary Club of Delhi Preet Vihar (President Rtn. Emili Munshi, Contact: 9873335016)

– Rotaract Club of SBSEC (President Rtr. Aman Rawat, Contact: 9718227284)

**Chief Guest**: Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch., Senior Director and Cancer Surgeon, MAX Hospital, Vaishali

**Session Conductor**: Dr. Annu Kanojia

Overview:

On November 25, 2023, an enlightening online health session titled “Unlock Wellness: Solutions to Your Health Challenges” was conducted, garnering the participation of 62 individuals. The session, led by renowned cancer surgeon Dr. Pawan Gupta M.Ch. from MAX Hospital, Vaishali focused on strategies for maintaining health and preventing cancer.

Key Highlights:

1. **Promoting Healthy Eating Habits**:

   – Avoidance of tobacco and alcohol.

   – Adherence to a balanced diet rich in nutrients.

2. **Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle**:

   – Importance of meditation for mental health, specifically Sync Energy Pranayam.

   – Regular exercise for physical fitness and weight management.

3. **Regular Health Care and Monitoring**:

   – Emphasis on regular self and clinical check-ups.

   – Advocacy for immunization, such as HPV vaccines.

   – Safe exposure to sunlight for Vitamin D, while being cautious of skin cancer risks.

The discussion revealed that tobacco use is a major cause of cancer, leading to a collective desire among participants to combat tobacco addiction and become “Tobacco Marshals” to influence societal change.

Dr. Gupta emphasized the feasibility of quitting tobacco with proper support, highlighting MAX Vaishali’s pioneering tobacco wellness program. He also demonstrated practical self-examination techniques for early cancer detection, including the 4-finger test and Chota Daana examination for oral cavity assessment, and introduced the TRISCaRe mouth opener device.

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, National Leader Tobacco MARSHAL and PDC Inner Wheel 310 emphasized her mission to “SAVE the youth – NO ONE SHOULD DIE BECAUSE OF TOBACCO”

The session concluded with President Emili Munshi summarizing the action points and emphasizing the need for continued efforts to safeguard youth health.

**Hashtags**: #MAX #SaveTheYouth #TobaccoMarshal #ICanCare #PawanGupta #Rotary #RotaryClubOfDelhiPreetVihar #EmiliMunshi #AmanRawat #RotaractClubSBSEC