Introduction: Oral cancer is among the top three types of cancers in India because tobacco use is rampant and
the lack of awareness of its risk in the community. Early detection of oral precancerous legions by visual clinical
screening will help in timely preventive interventions by stopping tobacco consumption and other risk factors
and treatment needed.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to know the yield of oral screening and
to know the association between risk factors such as tobacco-related habits, sharp tooth, poor oral hygiene,
and oral lesions.
Materials and Methods: It is an observational cross-sectional study. All the patients above
the age 18 years and willing to participate in screening, during June–July 2019 attending screening camps in
the outdoor patient’s department of otolaryngology were included in the study. Demographic data, history of
tobacco, and alcohol-related habits were collected by interview method. Clinical examination findings of oral
cavity were recorded. Appropriate management of the legions was done.
Exclusion Criteria: Patients coming for
consultation with previously diagnosed oral lesions or oral cancers were excluded from the study.
Results: Of
1637 screened, 614 (37.51%) were tobacco users, 525 (32.07%) were with poor oral hygiene, and 422 (25.7%)
had sharp tooth. Twenty-seven (19.98%) were consuming alcohol, 71 (4.34%) had oral precancerous lesions, of
these, 23 (32.39%) had oral submucosal fibrosis, 19 (22.4%) had ulcers, 13 (18.31%) had leukoplakia, 2 (2.82%)
had erythroplakia and lichen planus, and 11 (15.49%) had melanoplakia. Tobacco, poor oral hygiene, and sharp
tooth found to be risk factors for oral precancerous lesions.
Conclusion: Oral screening is an effective tool for
early detection of oral precancerous lesions. Tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and sharp tooth are the risk factors.
Key words: Oral precancerous lesions, risk factors, screening
How to cite: Kotnis DP, Kotnis S. Screening for oral cancers,
need for India: A cross-sectional study in a medical college
hospital in Maharashtra. MIMER Med J 2020;4(1):11-15.
Source of Support: Nil.
Conflicts of Interest: None declared.