Early detection and prevention of oral cancer: an interactive resource for primary care teams (CD-ROM)

  • K. A. A. S. Warnakulasuriya &
  • A. P. S. Gould
Department of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Cancer UK, and Dental Channel Ltd The contents of the CD are to be launched as a website: http://www.ocedr.org http://www.dental-channel.co.uk 0845 644 6842

This CD-ROM is the latest aid to detection of oral cancer. It summarises the current state of knowledge on the subject and explains how to recognise the signs and symptoms of oral malignancies, and gives advice regarding the best procedures. There were 4,400 new cases of oral cancer reported in the UK in 2002 and the number is growing. It increases with age and there is an alarming growth in numbers in young males in Western Europe, in particular the tongue. Survival rates are around 30-40%.

The CD consists of five modules and a helpful tutorial to aid navigation. The introduction covers the problem, identifying the global state with incidence rates and their increase, and the reference section is packed with relevant information.

Recognition and treatment includes an excellent video clip of how to do a full soft tissue check of the mouth – it takes three minutes. This section has detailed and good resolution photographs of different ulcers, white and red patches, precancerous and cancerous lesions. The accompanying descriptions, both voiceover and written, ensure that recognition of lesions in the mouth should be easily identified ensuring that appropriate action can be taken.

Practical prevention is taken through screening to better advice to smokers and drinkers and encouraging good diet. All forms of NRT are discussed as well as prescribing. Contra-indications are also included and hypnotherapy and acupuncture are briefly mentioned. Also included in this module are advances in detecting and treating cancer and a whole section from Dental Protection on the medico-legal aspects of recognising and referring cancer patients and the outcomes.

The interactive case studies are very useful and fun to complete. There are four scenarios and the user is encouraged to think and ask questions that will facilitate diagnosis of conditions.

The quiz at the end is quite addictive and a good learning tool, and there is also useful information that can be downloaded. The printout of the mouth cancer referral guidelines is a useful addition to any surgery and gives instant referral criteria. There are nice touches throughout the programme. The voiceover is pleasant to listen to and at a sensible speed. Navigation is straightforward and easy to use. The content is exhaustive on the subject. There are 17 hours of verifiable CPD available on completion of the programme.

This CD-ROM should be looked at as a practice investment so that it can be accessed by the whole team. GDPs are in a unique position to detect precancerous and cancerous lesions and with the incidence of oral cancer rising steadily, early recognition and referral is essential if the success rates for survival are to increase. If used correctly this will undoubtedly contribute to improved patient survival and should be mandatory for all dental practices.