ORAL CANCER IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO EARLY DIAGNOSIS
Keywords:
Oral Neoplasms, Primary Health Care, Early Diagnosis, Health PromotionAbstract
Oral cancer represents a serious public health problem, with high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Although its early detection is decisive for prognosis, diagnosis still occurs in advanced stages in most cases. Primary Health Care (PHC), due to its capillarity and preventive nature, is the ideal scenario for the early identification of potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer. This article proposes an integrated approach among PHC professionals, emphasizing the importance of systematic clinical examination, health education, and continuing education. The methodology involved a narrative review of the literature in international and national databases, addressing early detection strategies, barriers faced in clinical practice, and current public policies. The results highlight the need for standardized protocols, specific training, and educational campaigns as pillars for the effectiveness of early diagnosis. The discussion emphasizes that strengthening PHC is essential to change the current epidemiological scenario of oral cancer in Brazil and in the world.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Josilaine das Neves de Carvalho, Marcos Gustavo Oliveira da Silva, Camila Ramos Barbosa, Daiane Caroline Torres Soares, Edlla Eracelly Costa de Lima, Francisco José Macêdo da Silva, Giseli Cordeiro da Silva, João Victor Santos da Silva, Lorena de Jesus Lourenço da Silva, Pedro Henrique da Silva, Raynnara Souza Arruda, Vanessa Vila Nova Torres
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
