ORAL CANCER: EDUCATION CENTERED IN TRAINING FOR SELF-EXAMINATION

Abstract

Oral cancer is a disease that affects the oral tissues and is mainly related to tobacco consumption and exposure to solar radiation. Interference in the masticatory and gustatory processes and aesthetic reasons due to the disfiguring nature of the treatment are important in decreasing the quality of life of people who are affected. The mouth, however, is one of the few body cavities easily accessible to inspection and palpation, so self-examination performed by the patient and periodic visits to the dentist are important for early diagnosis of the disease. This project called "Oral cancer: have you made your self-examination today?", aimed to educate users and community health workers in primary care health system in the city of Coari, Amazonas, about the importance of practicing the mouth self-examination. The 11 Basic Health Units of the city were visited regularly for one year and seminars and training were made using mouth macromodel, data-show, banner, folders and mirror for teaching and training of self-examination practice. The project has reached about 950 people, with an average participation of 10-15 people per meeting, totaling around 72 meetings at the end of the project. Most people reported never having heard about this cancer, but showed much interest in the subject and actively participated in the self-examination practice at the mirror. Therefoe, although Brazil does not have a national organized policy to combat oral cancer, specific and regionalized actions have been held on the subject and with good acceptance of the population. Thus, the university extension can be a good non-formal education strategy for prevention at this disease, thus sharing scientific knowledge with the community and acting as agents of social transformation.