Kochi, May 20: Kerala has initiated a significant statewide effort to enhance the early detection of oral cancer. This initiative brings together dentists, cancer specialists, and healthcare institutions. It is being hailed as one of the largest community-level monitoring efforts for oral cancer in the state.
Officials announced on Tuesday that the program is being conducted under the banner of ‘Canveen.’ This initiative is led by the Indian Dental Association, with support from VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Chittilapilly Foundation, and other healthcare partners.
The core of this initiative is the ‘Oral Lesion Surveillance Program’ (OLSP). Its goal is to transform approximately 6,500 dental clinics across Kerala into centers for early detection of oral cancer through a systematic screening, documentation, and referral system.
Dr. Eapen Thomas stated, “Oral cancer remains one of the major public health concerns in India, as many patients reach specialists only when the disease has progressed significantly. This initiative emphasizes early detection and promotes community-level screening.”
According to national cancer estimates, nearly 30 percent of all reported cancer cases in India are oral cancers, with over 70 percent diagnosed at advanced stages.
Doctors emphasize that early detection can significantly improve survival rates and treatment outcomes for patients.
Under this initiative, dental clinics are positioned at the forefront of cancer monitoring. Many individuals visit dentists for regular check-ups and treatments, providing an excellent opportunity for early identification of any suspicious lesions or symptoms.
Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakos noted that late detection of oral cancer remains a significant challenge in treatment.
He remarked, “The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that the disease is detected as early as possible, right where patients first seek treatment.”
Dr. Ashwin Mullath added that the aim is to make screening a regular part of dental care. This will enable dentists to promptly refer any suspicious cases to specialists for further examination.
S.K. Abdullah mentioned that early detection at the community level could greatly reduce the number of late-stage cases and gradually decrease the incidence of oral cancer in Kerala.
The project is estimated to cost around 5 million rupees, funded through collaboration and donations from various institutions.
Funds raised through this program will also provide assistance for treatment to economically disadvantaged patients.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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