Oral cancer large observational screening study in Hungary

Incidence and mortality of oral cancer slightly decreased in recent years in Hungary; however, age-standardized estimated incidence and mortality for both sexes are still among the highest in Europe. The objective of the large observational study was to conduct oral cancer screening in Hungary using mobile screening units to examine 5000 individuals living in converging municipalities with low population density and under challenging socio-economic conditions. The study also aimed to develop related patient pathways, and to educate the population on the prevention of oral malignancies. The population screened for oral cancers using Visual Oral Examination (VOE) between 21 June 2021 and 31 March 2023 included individuals of 18 years of age or older, living in converging municipalities and in other geographical locations across Hungary. In 2024, a retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out to analyze the results. During the studied time period, a total of 8266 people attended the oral cancer screening study from converging municipalities (n = 4275; 51.7%), and from other geographical locations (n = 3991; 48.3%). Oral mucosal lesions were detected in 1725 individuals, of whom only 66 people (3.8%)-13 men and 53 women-visited a specialist, and 6 were diagnosed with malignant neoplasms. Mobile screening units can be an effective tool of secondary prevention for screening high-risk groups in rural, socio-economically challenging settings. However, low compliance of screen positive individuals to attend follow-up visits poses a threat to the effectiveness of the screening programs and it needs to be addressed by optimizing patient pathways.