Promoting Earlier Diagnosis of Oral Cancer in Rural/Remote Saskatchewan

Objectives: Early diagnosis of oral premalignant lesions (OPL) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) greatly improves prognosis. However, rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan lack adequate programs for early detection and prevention. With smoking and alcohol consumption being key risk factors (both prevalent in northern Saskatchewan), access to specialized oral health care remains a challenge. This study aims to build a collaborative network of health professionals and community contacts to enhance the early detection and precise diagnosis of OPL/OSCC in underserved communities. We seek to map the needs of these regions, providing training and resources to local healthcare providers, and establishing clear guidelines on when to involve oral specialists.
Methods: Ethical approval was obtained. Retrospective chart analysis from the province’s Surgical Pathology Services over the last ten years identified Saskatchewan patients diagnosed with OPL/OSCC. A network of healthcare providers and community members has been initiated, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and streamlined referral pathways to oral specialists.
Results: Preliminary data maps the distribution of OPL/OSCC across Saskatchewan, with each case geolocated by the patient's diagnosis and residential postal code. This serves as a baseline for a community needs assessment. The collaboration between oral medicine/pathology specialists and healthcare providers in rural communities is growing, fostering stronger relationships. Development of training materials to enhance clinical diagnosis and management of OPL/OSCC is in progress.
Conclusions: This study is expected to improve early detection of OPL and OSCC in rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan, reducing the time to specialist consultation and improving patient outcomes. Preliminary findings are promising and provide a foundation for mapping and addressing the need for specialized Oral Medicine and Surgical Pathology services.