Oral Cancer

Globally oral cancer (OC) is a health concern and in India ~77,000 new cases and ~52,000 deaths are reported annually. In Kerala the prevalence of OC is, ~1.08%. Public health studies have revealed vulnerability to OC in those who are excessively exposed to causative agents such as -alcohol, tobacco products, betel nut, unhygienic oral condition, poor diet and sustained viral infections that include the human papillomavirus. This disease is found prevalent in the local community of Wayanad due to the life style / habits. The survival rate of OC patients detected at advanced stage is ~50%, while those diagnosed at early-stage have >85% survival rate and Currently, physical examination of oral cavity is practiced for detection of OC which is visible after the lesion is progressed to an advanced size. Since early detection is the key factor to reduce morbidity and increase chance of survival, it is necessary to develop novel and sensitive methods for early OC detection and therefore, Aster Research Foundation in collaboration with Dr. Moopen’s Medical College is working in the development of a point of care (POC) screening tool for biomarker detection in non-invasively collected saliva sample. Detection of biomarkers may be a more sensitive method for diagnosis of OC at an early stage.