Early diagnosis and cancer prevention can greatly increase the chance of cure. Furthermore, these two factors make the process less expensive, involving less morbidity and suffering.

Objective: Prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer in Paraná population.

Methods: Campaigns in public squares carried out in many Paraná cities, with one or two annual visits in each city. All patients had their systematic history registered and their oral examination performed.

Results: 9140 oral examinations were carried out in people from 1989 to 2008. The majority of the people were women 839 (61.2%), under-paid (U$ 200.00, 67.3%), poorly educated (primary school or below, 779 (56.8%) illiterate, 19.3%), aged between 41 and 60 years old (43.9%). Don’t smoke 76.1%, Don’t drink 85.3%. The oral examinations revealed 1509 (16.5%) lesions: 1371 of them (15%) were oral lesions and the remaining ones were skin lesions 138 (9.1%). Most of the oral lesions were traumatic 687 (50.3%) or inflammatory 344 (25.2%). Red (Eritoplakia) lesions were identified in 2 (0.1%), and leukoplakias in 22.8% of the oral lesions. Other 189 1.3%). We found cancer-suggestive lesions in 0.3% cases. 42 of which were biopsied and 8 had the cancer diagnosis confirmed by means of histopathological exam. The remaining patients needing a biopsy were referred to a local health unit for diagnostic evaluation.

Conclusion: Prevention and early diagnosis campaigns may potentially increase the chance of oral cancer cure, prevent the growth of neoplasm through education and treatment of preceding lesions and improve the overall quality of life.

Conflict of interest: None declared.