Screening and early detection of oral cancer: current controversies

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

There would appear to be a distinction between the lack of evidence as to the merits of screening in asymptomatic individuals and those at particular risk of oral cancer.

Main

Galvão-Moreira LV, da Cruz MCFN. Acta Odontol Scand 2017; 75: 361–365

Each year in the world, 300,000 individuals are afflicted with oral cancer. Of note however, the incidence of oral cancer is decreasing in the US. As the oral cavity is easily accessible for visual inspection, self-examination may expedite early detection for oral cancer. However, the evidence is such that mouth self-examination 'is currently not indicated as a screening tool.' A Cochrane systematic review has shown there are no differences in mortality rates between screened and non-screened populations. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force goes further in that it raises the question of possible harm from screening. They state that 'there is a lack of evidence regarding the benefits and harms of screening' in asymptomatic adults. There would be a distinction however in tobacco/alcohol users; mortality was reduced by 24% in the screened group compared to controls.