An oral cancer screening program in Brazil: Analysis of seven years of outcome after its implementation in the suburban cities of São Paulo

Abstract

Objective: To describe the implementation of an oral cancer screening program at the Barretos Cancer Hospital (BCH) and present the outcome based on data obtained from 2014 to 2020.

Materials and methods: The residents of the Regional Health District of Barretos (DRS-V) were personally invited by community health agents or nurses, and among 13,973 people, 15,222 oral examinations were carried out over the years in 18 of its municipalities. Oral examinations were performed at the Mobile Dental Unit and at the Prevention Department of the BCH. Inclusion criteria were being 35 years of age or older, having a personal history of tobacco or alcohol consumption, or having a lesion in the oral cavity found by community health agent or self-reported, regardless of age or risk factors.

Results and conclusion: The main result of our study was the stages of oral cancer among screen detected cases were smaller compared to cases in the hospital registry, in the state and in Brazil. Oral cancer detection rate per 1,000 oral examinations was 10.7.The early stages of oral cancer found by screening in primary care facilities or using mobile units suggest that, when organized, screening may improve the prognosis of oral cancer.

Keywords: Mobile health units; Oral cancer; Oral cancer prevention; Oral cancer screening; Primary health care.