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Oral cancer screening in the elderly
D J Fedele1, J A Jones, L C Niessen
1Geriatric Dental Program, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Perry Point, MD 21902.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Early oral cancer screening is crucial for older men, a high-risk group. Simple screenings during medical exams improve survival rates by detecting localized lesions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Oral cancers account for approximately 3% of US cancer diagnoses.
- Incidence is highest in older men, with alcohol and tobacco as key risk factors.
- Early detection significantly improves patient prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of oral cancer screening in older adults.
- To emphasize the role of physicians in early oral cancer detection.
- To underscore the survival benefits of identifying localized oral lesions.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on oral cancer incidence and risk factors.
- Assessment of oral cancer screening as a non-invasive procedure.
- Analysis of survival rates based on lesion stage (localized vs. distant metastases).
Main Results:
- Oral cancer is less common than breast, lung, or colon cancer but more common than cervical cancer.
- Older men exhibit the highest incidence rates.
- Five-year survival is over four times greater for localized lesions compared to distant metastases.
Conclusions:
- Physician medical examinations offer a prime opportunity for oral cancer screening in older Americans.
- Integrating screening into routine check-ups can lead to earlier detection and better outcomes.
- Simple, non-invasive screening can save lives by identifying early-stage oral cancers.