Kerala launches statewide dental network for early oral cancer detection

KOCHI: A major statewide initiative aimed at strengthening early detection of oral cancer has been launched in Kerala, bringing together dental professionals, cancer specialists and healthcare institutions in what is being described as one of the largest community-level oral cancer surveillance efforts in the state.

The programme is being implemented under CanWin, an initiative spearheaded by the Indian Dental Association with support from VPS Lakeshore Hospital, the Chittilappilly Foundation and other healthcare partners, officials said on Tuesday.

At the centre of the initiative is the Oral Lesion Surveillance Program (OLSP), which seeks to convert nearly 6,500 dental clinics across Kerala into early oral cancer detection centres through structured screening, documentation and referral systems.

"Oral cancer remains one of the biggest public health concerns in India because many patients reach specialists only at advanced stages. This initiative shifts the focus towards early detection and community-level screening," Dr. Eapen Thomas said.

According to national cancer estimates, oral cancer accounts for nearly 30 per cent of all cancers reported in India, with more than 70 per cent of cases diagnosed only in advanced stages.

Doctors say early-stage detection can significantly improve survival rates and treatment outcomes.

The initiative places dental clinics at the frontline of cancer surveillance, recognising that many individuals visit dentists regularly for routine care, creating an opportunity for early identification of suspicious lesions.