Screening programmes for the early detection and prevention of oral cancer

There is a need to understand whether screening programmes could detect oral cancer earlier and so reduce the number of deaths from this disease. Cancer of the mouth is becoming increasingly common and has a low survival rate, as many patients present with advanced disease. Screening the general population for oral cancer might make it possible to detect cases earlier. The most common method is visual inspection by a clinician, but other techniques include the use of a special blue "dye", the use of imaging techniques and measuring biochemical changes to normal cells. The review found that overall there is not enough evidence to decide whether screening by visual inspection reduces the death rate for oral cancer, and there is no evidence for other screening methods. However, there is some evidence that it might help reduce death rates in patients who use tobacco and alcohol, although the only included study may be effected by bias.