[Oral cancers and the need for secondary prevention programs]

Each year, 250,000 people all over the world develop oral cancer, while 130,000 die for this condition. In Italy, these figures are 6000 and 3000, respectively. The 53% average survival rate in five years is one of the lowest, although it increases to 72-86% if oral cancer is diagnosed at the TNM stage I. However, in more than half the cases this condition is diagnosed at more severe stages. This situation can improve significantly because the oral cavity can be easily checked and the cancer is often predictable by precancerous lesions. Since alcohol and tobacco are responsible for 75% of cases, primary prevention basically relies on their control. Secondary prevention, aimed at the early detection of this condition, is based on the examination of oral mucosae and can be performed by dentists, dental hygienists or the patients themselves. The first step to take is to foster information among the subjects at risk, namely people over 40. The authors suggest that educational programs should be held by health professionals so as to teach patients how to perform selfexamination and address to hospitals in case of suspected cancerous lesions.