Oral cancer screening for high risk individuals in the primary health care setting using an active approach

Abstract

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered a major public health problem. The diagnosis often occurs in advanced stages, causing high morbidity and mortality and therefore prevention strategies should be advocated. This study aims to investigate a model of OSCC screening for high-risk individuals in the Family Health Strategy's (FHS) scenario.

Methods

Participants were men between 50 and 65 years of age registered in a primary health care electronic database and resident in an area with low socioeconomic status in the city of Curitiba (Paraná/Brazil). With the support of an electronic map application, dentistry students visited subjects at their homes.

Results

From the 16 391 registered subjects, 981 were men aged between 50 and 65. From 608 available subjects 233 (38.2%) were identified as smokers and former smokers and 202 (86.6%) were examined. There was a prevalence of 57 (28.2%) potentially malignant lesions and one confirmed case of squamous cell carcinoma. Actual smoking habits, low-income wage and absence from clinical appointments were the key predictors of leukoplakia in this study sample.

Conclusion

This study offers evidence of the possibility of applying a high-risk oriented approach as a secondary prevention measure in the FHS in Brazil or other developing countries.

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