Free screenings for oral cancer prevention in Arrecife

The College of Dentists of Las Palmas invites the citizens of Lanzarote to participate in the day of prevention and early detection of oral cancer that will be held next Saturday, June 13, in the Plaza de Las Palmas of Arrecife, from 10 in the morning to one thirty in the afternoon. The initiative has an information point and offers free oral mucosa check-ups carried out by dentists in a tent set up for this purpose.

This direct action with the population aims to raise awareness about this type of cancer and facilitate its diagnosis in the earliest stages, when the possibilities of treatment and survival are significantly greater.

Oral cancer can develop on the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, or inside the cheeks. One of its main risks lies in the fact that, initially, it can go unnoticed as it does not cause significant pain or discomfort. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to any persistent changes in the mouth, such as ulcers that do not heal, white or reddish spots, lumps, or difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Late diagnosis of oral cancer leads to a mortality rate of over 25 percent, a figure that contrasts with a survival rate of over 90 percent when the disease is identified in its early stages.

Francisco Cabrera Panasco, president of the College of Dentists of Las Palmas, explains that many potentially malignant lesions can be detected during a routine dental check-up, "which highlights the importance of going to the dentist periodically." Likewise, he points out that "regular check-ups and early consultation for any alteration are fundamental to improving the prognosis and increasing the chances of cure."

Risk factors and situation in the Canary Islands

Oral cancer mainly affects men over 45 years of age, although in recent years an increase in cases among women and young people has been observed. Its appearance is closely related to tobacco consumption, excessive alcohol intake, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), associated with oral sex.

Poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, ill-fitting prostheses that cause chronic wounds, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables also contribute to its development. Added to these factors is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation without protection, which is especially relevant in the Canary Islands, where the high levels of solar radiation recorded throughout the year increase the risk of lip cancer.

In the Canary Islands, some of these risk factors are particularly relevant. The 5th Canary Islands Health Survey reflects a high prevalence of periodontal problems on the islands: 59% of people over 30 years of age have bleeding gums, and more than 10% of those over 65 years of age have tooth mobility. These data are especially important when considering that periodontitis can triple the risk of developing oral cancer.

The link with smoking also concerns dentists in the province, as cigarette consumption is compounded by the rise of vapes, heated tobacco devices, nicotine pouches, and other tobacco-derived products. In Spain, tobacco is responsible for 90% of oral cancers. In this context, the Canary Islands ranks as the fifth autonomous community with the highest percentage of daily smokers among the population aged 15 or over, with a prevalence of 20.7%, according to the latest European Health Survey in Spain published by the INE.

The campaign tours the three islands of the province

After its recent visit to Puerto del Rosario, where oral mucosa examinations were performed on 100 people, Saturday, June 13th in Lanzarote will be the second of three planned actions within the provincial oral cancer prevention campaign, which will conclude on June 27th on the Rambla de Mesa y López in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.