Oral health, not only caries: around 9,750 new head and neck cancer diagnoses in Italia

Preventive dentistry is still not an established habit as almost four out of ten Italians have not been to the dentist in the last year and only one out of two carries out regular check-ups. Yet taking care of one's mouth does not only mean preventing tooth decay or gum inflammation. In particular, the oral cavity can be the site of important diseases that, in their early stages, can develop silently, such as cancers of the upper aero-digestive tract - pharynx, larynx and oral cavity - which represent a clinical and social problem

On the eve of World Oral Health Day on 20 March, data confirm that dental prevention is still not as widespread as it should be. According to research conducted by Key-Stone for DentalPro, Italy's largest dental care group, half of all Italians have not had regular check-ups in the last year, despite encouraging signs on the professional hygiene front with 7 out of 10 patients having undergone treatment in the last four months. In particular, there is still ample room for improvement, especially in certain segments of the population, particularly among the over 60s (of whom only 56% have had a check-up in the last 12 months) and among people with a lower level of schooling. This data highlights how the promotion of constant care and periodic check-ups is essential to intercept any problems early on and avoid resorting to more invasive treatment. Oral cancer, which can affect the tongue, gums, palate, oral floor and mucous membranes, often shows no obvious symptoms and is diagnosed late due to lack of information. In recent years, scientific evidence points to an increase in cancers of the head and neck region even in younger age groups, between 30 and 40, overcoming the idea that it is a disease exclusively linked to advanced age. A fact that calls for extending the culture of prevention to all generations.

Signs that should not be overlooked include white or reddish spots on the mucous membrane, ulcers that do not heal within two weeks, persistent swelling or burning, symptoms that may appear trivial but require clinical evaluation. Despite this, most patients are diagnosed when the disease is already in an advanced stage, making treatment more complex. Early diagnosis, on the other hand, significantly increases the likelihood of recovery and allows for less invasive treatment, preserving fundamental functions such as chewing, swallowing and phonation. Today it is possible to carry out the oral cavity cancer screening test directly in DentalPro centres, during a normal check-up. It is a rapid, non-invasive and painless examination that allows the detection of cellular changes in the mucosa before they can develop into cancer. It is performed by simply taking a sample using a special brush and detects markers associated with viral infections, oxidative stress or early cell changes. The result does not constitute a definitive diagnosis, but is a useful warning sign for the physician to plan any further investigations.

"There are several factors that can significantly increase the risk of developing oral mucosal abnormalities, including cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, HPV infections and family history of oral diseases. Prevention and regular check-ups are essential because they allow early detection of any abnormalities. When oral cancer is detected in the early stages, the chances of cure are very high, whereas in later diagnosed forms, the chances are significantly reduced. A quick screening test during a visit can be a first concrete step towards prevention,' warns Samuele Baruch, Director of the Medical Scientific Committee of the DentalPro Group. "Knowledge and awareness about this disease are still insufficient today, both among patients and in the common perception of risk. It is essential to bridge this gap by ensuring increasingly broad and inclusive access to testing for the early diagnosis of oral cancer. DentalPro's widespread presence in the territory, with over 280 centres throughout Italy, helps make screening more easily accessible and contributes to spreading a more solid and continuous culture of prevention," adds Michel Cohen, Founder and CEO of the DentalPro Group.