Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Victor Ifeolu Akinmoladun, has warned that chronic inflammation and poor dietary habits are major contributors to the growing burden of oral cancer.
Delivering the 582nd inaugural lecture of the university titled “The Scalpel and the Laboratory: Collaboration Against the Lawless,” Akinmoladun emphasised that “pro-inflammatory diets such as sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, processed meats, and fried foods” are not only harmful but directly linked to persistent inflammation, which can trigger cancer.
He described the link between inflammation and cancer as “an agreement between two individuals or groups of persons to achieve an unlawful or illegal and harmful goal, often with fatal consequences.”
Highlighting the public health threat posed by cancer globally, Akinmoladun revealed that cancer is responsible for nearly one in six deaths worldwide and accounts for three in ten premature deaths from non-communicable diseases among people aged 30 to 69.
He noted that head and neck cancers (HNC), including oral cancer, rank between the sixth and tenth most common cancers globally.
“Many cancers are known to be induced by chronic inflammation, while many more are sustained by it,” he stated, citing the role of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in tumour initiation and progression.
The professor expressed concern that “figures on the burden of the disease are difficult to obtain in Nigeria, and data on survival in oral cancer is also hardly available.”
To reduce the cancer burden, Akinmoladun advocated for better nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle adjustments.
He asserted that “higher vegetable and fruit consumption have protective effects” against several cancers, including those of the oral cavity and colon.
He further explained that micronutrients like zinc, copper, selenium, and antioxidants play crucial roles in DNA protection and immune defense.
“Cancer is not exactly the direct consequence of a failed immune system,” he said, “but a compromised immune state can significantly contribute to its development.”
The don recommended antioxidants, vitamins that support single-carbon metabolism, and the avoidance of alcohol and tobacco as key preventive measures.
