A novel mobile health approach to early diagnosis of oral cancer

• Main Authors: Bajaj, S. (Author), Birur, N.P (Author), Chigurupati, R. (Author), Gurudath, S. (Author), Gurushanth, K. (Author), Kuriakose, M.A (Author), Patrick, S. (Author), Raghavan, S. (Author), Rao, P. (Author), Sunny, S.P (Author), Suresh, A. (Author), Wilder-Smith, P. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd 2018
• Subjects: Cell Phone; diagnostic imaging; early cancer diagnosis; Early Detection of Cancer; female; Female; Frontline health care providers; human; Humans; incidence; Incidence; India; male; Male; Mobile health; mobile phone; Mouth Neoplasms; mouth tumor; Oral cancer; Oral potentially malignant disorders; prevalence; Prevalence; procedures; Remote Consultation; Remote diagnosis; risk factor; Risk Factors; rural population; Rural Population; teleconsultation; telemedicine; Telemedicine
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Aim: The incidence of oral cancer is high in India, which can be reduced by early detection. We aimed to empower frontline health care providers (FHP) for early detection and connect specialist to rural population through mHealth. Materials and methods: We provided training to FHPs in examination of oral cavity, use of mobile phone for image capture, and risk factor analysis. The FHPs were selected from different cohorts in resource-constrained settings. The workflow involved screening of high-risk individuals in door-to-door and workplace settings, and capture of images of suspected lesions. Uploaded data were interpreted and recommendation was sent by specialist from a remote location. Their recommendation was intimated to FHPs who arranged for further action. Two more initiatives, one for multiple dental schools and another for private practitioners, were undertaken. Results: During the period from 2010 to 2018, 42,754 subjects have been screened, and 5,406 subjects with potentially malignant disorders have been identified. The prevalence of potentially malignant disorders varied from 0.8 to 62% at different cohorts; 516 biopsies have been performed at remote locations. Conclusion: Connecting specialists to rural population was made possible through the use of mobile health. Trained FHP were able to reach out to the population. Electronic data capture facilitated efficient follow-up. The program was very cost-effective with screening completed under     per person. Clinical significance: In view of the high incidence of oral cancer in India, and the resource-constrained settings, mobile health paves the way for better access to specialist care for the rural population. © The Journal Of The Contemporary Dental Practice.