Effectiveness of a Community-Based Oral Cancer Screening Program Using Portable Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Rural...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Oral cancer poses a significant health challenge in rural India, exacerbated by limited healthcare access.
• Early diagnosis is crucial for successful oral cancer treatment.
• This study addresses the need for effective screening in resource-constrained environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a community-based oral cancer screening program using portable fluorescence spectroscopy in rural India.
• To assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of this technology in a low-resource setting.
• To determine the prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and oral cancer in the study population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 584 participants aged 30-65 in 20 villages.
• Screening conducted through community health camps and awareness campaigns.
• Oral examinations by trained healthcare workers, with suspicious lesions assessed by portable fluorescence spectroscopy; biopsies for histopathological confirmation.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates: 12.8% for OPMDs and 3.1% for oral cancer.
• Portable fluorescence spectroscopy showed high diagnostic accuracy: 88.2% sensitivity and 92.6% specificity for OPMDs; 90.0% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity for oral cancer.
• High negative predictive values (96.3% for OPMDs, 97.5% for oral cancer) indicate effective identification of those without disease.

Conclusions:

• Community-based screening with portable fluorescence spectroscopy is valuable for early oral cancer and OPMD detection in rural areas.
• The device's portability and ease of use make it suitable for low-resource settings, potentially improving oral cancer management.
• Integrating such technologies into existing health initiatives can enhance reach and facilitate timely treatment, though long-term impact requires further research.