Oral Cancer: Health Promotion and Visual Screening
—A Study Report

Augusta P. Silveira, Augusta Marques, Miguel Pavão, Eurico Monteiro, Gabriela Pereira, Joaquim Gonçalves, Luís Castro, Maria Inês Guimarães, Bernardete Carvalho, Cláudia Ribeiro, Teresa Sequeira

Faculty of Heath Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal.
Health Sciences Department, Portuguese Catholic University, Viseu, Portugal.
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO): Mundo A Sorrir, Porto, Portugal.
Well Medical Spa, Porto, Portugal.

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2013.48155                

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer presents a heterogeneous geographic incidence. Annually, more than 275,000 new cases are diagnosed worldwide. In spite of the easy accessibility of oral cavity during physical examination, most malignancies are not diagnosed until late stages of disease. Methods: Oral health promotion was our main objective, risk factors were identified and oral cavity self-examination was promoted. The population considered (n = 1117) was divided in two main age groups—a youngest (individuals under 25 years old) mostly targeted for oral cancer awareness and oral cavity self examination promotion, and an older group having accumulated potential risk exposure. Results: The results obtained revealed smoking habits and fruits-vegetables consumption deficit as the highest risks factors found. Considering a Risk Factor Exposure Index analysis, individuals with secondary level of instruction and living in sub-urban areas assumed the highest risk exposure. Alcohol consumption had also contributed as a significant risk exposure. Conclusions: Some of these risk factors work as biological reward of quality of life deficit. A wide comprehension of the problem requires a multidisciplinary approach necessarily involving Health and Social Sciences in order to target the core of oral cancer health promotion. An effective epidemiological strategy must thus support three major aspects: population knowledge, sensitization and visual screening.

Keywords

Oral Cancer; Visual Screening; Oral Health Promotion; Epidemiological Strategies

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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