Oral Cancer in developing countries: The time to act is upon us

Oral cancer has emerged as a significant cause of global public health concern in both developing and developed nations. Multiple socio-demographic and habit-related risk factors have been attributed to causing oral cancer. A diverse array of challenges exists in the global campaign to address the burden of oral cancer. Such challenges have served as barriers to the early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, thus impacting the scope of the public health benefit and chances for survival. Oral health screening services should be integrated into National Public Health Programs and the development of an evidence-base on strategies which focus on primary prevention and community health education will assist in efforts to detect and treat oral cancer at earlier stages in the epidemiology of the disease.