UBSs in Valinhos begin the Oral Cancer Prevention and Diagnosis Campaign

Action will take place in parallel with the Flu Vaccination Campaign

The Valinhos Health Department begins this Tuesday, the 2nd, the Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis Campaign. The action will take place in parallel with the 26th Flu Vaccination Campaign, held in Basic Health Units (UBSs), from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 11am and from 1pm to 3pm.

Residents who are going to be vaccinated against the influenza virus, which causes the flu, can contact the oral health teams at the UBSs to request an examination of the oral cavity. It is done by a dentist and no prior appointment is necessary.

According to the Department of Health, in general, oral cancer, in its initial stage, does not present symptoms. Therefore, it is important to see a dentist frequently. White and red plaques and small ulcers, for example, can be seen early on and, consequently, the possibility of a cure is very high.

“UBSs are the gateway to oral health care. Many pre-cancerous lesions of the mouth, cancers of the mouth and oropharynx are diagnosed early by the dentist during routine consultations”, says the manager of the Department of Dentistry, dental surgeon Nayene Leocádia Manzutti Eid.

The dental surgeon explains that in cases of changes, patients will have continuity of care and must return on a date scheduled by the health unit for reassessment and referral to the Dental Specialties Center (CEO), if necessary.

“If malignancy is suspected, the patient must have an exam scheduled with the CEO’s stomatologist, without needing to wait for reevaluation. On site, biopsies of mouth lesions are performed and, if the diagnosis of cancer is confirmed, immediate referral for treatment is made. The entire process is carried out by the municipal network”, details Nayene, adding that dental surgeons recommend self-examination of the mouth, monthly, in front of a mirror, to check if there is any abnormal area, such as white spots (leukoplakia), wounds or nodules.

According to the manager of the Dentistry Department, self-examination is very important, especially for people who smoke and/or drink alcoholic beverages routinely, as both increase the risk of developing this type of cancer.