Khat chewing and its association with oral/esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and oral white lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Key Points

• Khat chewing is associated with a higher risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma, impacting dental health.
• The meta-analysis reveals a 3.2 times greater likelihood of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma linked to khat use.
• Systematic review methodology employed data from multiple studies analyzing cancer incidence and khat exposure.
• Findings highlight the need for public health measures regarding khat consumption and cancer prevention.