Prioritizing a global research and policy agenda for Betel Quid (BQ) and Areca Nut (AN)

Betel Quid Chewing in the Mid-Atlantic United States: Any Consequence?

“…Carcinogenesis in the setting of betel quid and areca nut use has no clear model comparable to that of smokeless tobacco use [2]. However, a few mechanisms have been proposed, many of which involve the compound arecoline [2].…”

“…This high concentration of betel quid users in Paterson, NJ during a relatively short period of time piqued our interest in understanding the biology, mechanisms, and epidemiology of betel quid use particularly within the Greater New York/New Jersey area. Although the popular-Table 1: Source: These are some popular areca nut and betel quid products, their common forms, and countries of use [2].…”

“…ity of betel quid and areca nut use worldwide is comparable to that of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, a March 2018 publication by the International Society for the Prevention of Tobacco Induced Diseases notes that no global policy exists for the control of these known human carcinogens [2]. The purpose of this article is to review the basics of betel quid composition and patterns of its use; to investigate the potential rise in incidence of betel nut related oral cancers in the United States; and to provide an overview of the three cases which have been our lens into the subject.…”