Background: The efficacy of screening for oral, head and neck cancers (HNCs) in adequately identifying high-risk groups is controversial.
Objectives: This study aims to review our experience with a free oral, HNC-screening program to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and the effectiveness of this program to improve future programs.
Materials and methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey of participants in a free oral, HNC screening exercise was performed in the years 2009, 2012, and 2013.
Results: In the years of screening, 135 participants presented aged between 21 and 83 years (mean = 47.0; ±15.6) with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. 32.6% consumed alcohol, and 17.8% were smokers. Smoking (P = 0.04) and alcohol use (P = 0.05) were associated with higher rates of suspicious malignant symptoms. There was no statistical correlation between symptom prevalence and the number of participants requiring immediate consultation for oral, HNC (r = 0.47), and those referred for routine follow-up (r = 0.34). Premalignant and malignant lesions were diagnosed in 5 males aged 44-72 years. 83.7% found the screening program beneficial in increasing their awareness of the disease.
Conclusions: This hospital-based screening demonstrates improved awareness among people about oral, HNCs, and survival outcomes on a small scale. A community-based screening with health education to target a larger high-risk population is recommended to encourage individuals to modify high-risk factors and improve outcomes.