Oral cancer screening: Past, present, and future perspectives

Abstract

This letter discusses the historical development, current challenges, and future prospects of oral cancer screening. Initially, screening relied on basic clinical examination techniques, but it has since progressed with the use of additional tools such as toluidine blue staining, which has significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis. However, current screening methods face obstacles, such as limited accessibility and uncertainty about their effectiveness in detecting early lesions. Encouraging advancements, such as salivary biomarkers, genomics, and AI-driven diagnostics, present non-invasive and personalized screening options. It is crucial to integrate screening into primary care and address risk factors like tobacco use in order to develop comprehensive prevention strategies. Continued collaboration and technological advancements are essential for decreasing oral cancer mortality rates by means of early detection and holistic care approaches.

Keywords

• Oral cancer screening
• Artificial intelligence
• Toluidine blue staining
• Brush biopsies
• Genetic screening