The benefits of oral cancer screening at dental checkup

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Screening high risk patients for oral cancer during routine checks is a cost-effective approach.
Oral cancer is on the increase in the UK and elsewhere, with smoking and drinking being major risk factors. Catching the signs early, such as lesions ike ulcers that do not heal, is the best way of dealing with oral cancer. Doctors and dentists can look for these signs during routine checks.Researchers at the University of Sheffield, England, now report on the benefits of this approach.

They collected data on resources and costs of oral cancer treatment from two hospitals and from various published studies. The analysis suggestst that screening high risk patients - that is, those who drink or smoke heavily - yields the most significant benefit, especially in the 40 to 70 age group. Screening by doctors is only a little more expensive than screening by dentists. The latter, however, have specific training in looking for oral cancer, as have dental hygienists. It is well worthwhile attending for oral cancer screening - maybe through your regular dental check if you don't often visit the doctor. For, left to themselves, most people do not spot oral cancer till it is in its later stages when treatment is long and costly. There has been little improvement in oral cancer survival rates for decades, which is why screening is so important.

Source
Health Technology Assessment May 2006