Nabihah Haron1, Rosnah Binti Zain2,3, Anand Ramanathan3,4, Mannil Thomas Abraham5,6, Chee Sun Liew7, Kheng Ghee Ng7, Lai Choo Cheng6, Rozihan Binti Husin6, Sherrie Mei Yee Chong5,6, Logesvari A/P Thangavalu6, Azizah Mat6, Hasmah Binti Ismail6, Sumitha A/P Mahalingam6, Sok Ching Cheong1. 1. Head and Neck Cancer Research Team, Cancer Research Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. 2. Faculty of Dentistry, Saujana Putra Campus, MAHSA University, Selangor, Malaysia. 3. Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 5. Oral Surgery Clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. 6. Oral Health Program, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia. 7. Data Intensive Computing Centre, Research Management and Innovation Complex, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract
Background: Up to 86% of oral cancer (OC) patients present at the late stage where survival is dismal. Limited access to specialist diagnosis is a significant factor for late presentation. The increasing use of smartphones presents an opportunity to use digital technology to facilitate early detection of OC. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of using Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere (MeMoSA®) to facilitate early detection of OC. Methods: A mobile phone app named MeMoSA was developed and the feasibility of integrating this for documentation of oral lesions, and communication between dentists and specialists for management decisions were evaluated. The experience of dentists and specialists in using MeMoSA was determined using qualitative questionnaires. Results: Communication between specialist and dentists using MeMoSA stratified cases and streamlined referral of patients. Twelve of 48 patients were found to have oral lesions or signs suspicious of cancer and 3 required referrals. The patient's compliance for referral was tracked with MeMoSA. All dentists agreed that MeMoSA could facilitate early detection of OC and believed that MeMoSA could assist in the identification of oral mucosal lesions through direct communication with specialists and continuous learning in the recognition of high-risk lesions. Conclusions: MeMoSA has the potential to be used to promote equitable health care and streamline patient management that could result in early detection of OC.
Background: Up to 86% of oral cancer (OC) patients present at the late stage where survival is dismal. Limited access to specialist diagnosis is a significant factor for late presentation. The increasing use of smartphones presents an opportunity to use digital technology to facilitate early detection of OC. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of using Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere (MeMoSA®) to facilitate early detection of OC. Methods: A mobile phone app named MeMoSA was developed and the feasibility of integrating this for documentation of oral lesions, and communication between dentists and specialists for management decisions were evaluated. The experience of dentists and specialists in using MeMoSA was determined using qualitative questionnaires. Results: Communication between specialist and dentists using MeMoSA stratified cases and streamlined referral of patients. Twelve of 48 patients were found to have oral lesions or signs suspicious of cancer and 3 required referrals. The patient's compliance for referral was tracked with MeMoSA. All dentists agreed that MeMoSA could facilitate early detection of OC and believed that MeMoSA could assist in the identification of oral mucosal lesions through direct communication with specialists and continuous learning in the recognition of high-risk lesions. Conclusions: MeMoSA has the potential to be used to promote equitable health care and streamline patient management that could result in early detection of OC.