Tanzania: Medic Cautions Youths Against ''Shisha'' Smoking

Source from:  Tanzania Daily News  06/17/2014

Youngers have been argued to stop the habit of smoking "shisha" pipes as an alternative for tobacco or cigarettes as it is harmful and can lead to cancer.

This was said by a Medical Oncologist, Dr Amyn Alidina of Aga Khan Hospital, during a one-day Cancer Awareness Talk conducted in Dar es Salaam.

He added that smoking "shisha" pipes, which has become a common sight among youngsters in the city, is not an effective harm-reduction strategy.

"Anyone who smokes 'shisha' is likely to be affected by cancer just like the person who smokes tobacco or cigarettes," he said adding that the only alternative of avoiding cancer through smoking is by stopping to consume tobacco.

He also said that in most cases cancer is preventable if people can avoid abusing tobacco (both smoking or chewing) and excessive alcohol.

Avoiding tobacco and alcohol will prevent many cancers from coming on and also taking vaccination against Hepatitis B can prevent liver cancer," he said adding that regular exercise and plenty of fruits and vegetables is also a good way of preventing cancers.

He also added that in most cases cancer at early stage can be cured while it is only certain cancers that can be cured if diagnosed at a late stage -- like lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), testicular cancer (cancer that develops in the testicles, a part of the male reproductive system) and ovarian germ cell tumours (which usually occur in teenage girls or young women). "Cancer is curable if diagnosed early. Certain cancers if discovered a bit late are also potentially curable.

Like lymphoma, testicular cancer and ovarian germ cell tumours," he said adding that prevention is, however, better than cure.

He went on to explain that smoking tobacco is more dangerous as it can lead to a lot of cancers like the cancer of the lung, breast, head and neck as well as kidney.

"With cancers that can occur with smoking tobacco the list is long, virtually, any cancer can occur: lung cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, colon cancer bladder cancer, cancer of the food pipe, cervix cancer, kidney cancer and pancreas cancer," he said.

He therefore urged people to develop self check-ups and regular health check-ups at least once a month as cancer can be cured when diagnosed early enough and people who hail from families that have a history of suffering from cancer should be extra careful. Enditem