Survey: 35% tobacco-chewing cops have precancerous lesions

Unusually long working hours and the resultant stress is the cause behind around 30 per cent of the police force consuming tobacco, a recent survey by the Cancer Patients Aids Association (CPAA) has revealed. Among them, 35 per cent had precancerous lesions.

Occupational stress the primary cause
A study of the tobacco chewing police population has revealed that occupational stress one of the main causes behind them taking up the habit. Their exposure to stress is said to be well beyond the range of normal human experiences.
"Police officers occupy an important position in the community both as law enforcers as well as role models for appropriate behavior. The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use among police personnel. Sadly, we found a significant association between cause of consumption of tobacco and occurrence of cancer and precancerous lesions among the officers," said Anita Peters, executive director, CPAA.

Law-makers breaking rules
The survey was part of a health camp that was held in November last year. Peters said they found that most of the officers they surveyed were hooked to tobacco consumption. "They are aware of the harmful effects of tobacco intake but said it is the erratic working hours and stressful jobs that makes them continue with the habit," said Peters. Moreover, on July 18, 2012, that the state government had issued a notification banning the sale and consumption of gutkha and pan masala. Despite this, those responsible for maintaining law and order are themselves breaking the law.

Almost 400 cops part of survey
For the study, two random police units with average strength of almost 200 police personnel each were selected. Apart from a structured closed-ended questionnaire, a clinical oral examination by an expert for screening and diagnosis of pre-malignant oral lesions was done.
"The result of our survey was startling. Thirty-five per cent of the policemen with a habit of chewing tobacco were found to have precancerous lesions in their mouth. If they don't stop the habit now, these lesions can in future develop into full-blown cancer. It is therefore important for them to regularly follow up," said Peters.

Most pick up habit from colleagues
Peters added that chewing tobacco, gutka, pan masala was more common than tobacco smoking. "Most of them have picked up the habit from their colleagues. They say that chewing tobacco helps them keep awake while they are on double duty. It also kills hunger. When we told them about them developing oral cancer, they agreed to quit but it is impossible for us to follow up on them. Police administration needs to find the root cause. Periodic oral health examination and health promotion strategies to sensitize these individuals plays a key role in refraining them these flavoured addictive carcinogens," she added.

Aware, yet addicted
30% of cops surveyed had a habit of chewing tobacco
35% had precancerous lesions
Most cops said they knew of harmful effects but couldn't kick the habit because it helped them:
Keep awake will on double duty
Fight hunger during long working hours