Community-based cluster randomized trial of screening with visual examination of oral cavity and double-contrast barium swallow for upper aerodigestive tract cancers.

TPS1618 Background: Oral, esophageal and hypopharyngeal cancers are common and important public health problems in India. They are highly aggressive neoplasms and are associated with a poor prognosis especially because most patients are diagnosed at late stages of disease. Certain high risk factors like tobacco, betel and arecanut and alcohol use have been associated with the causation of these cancers. Screening may offer the opportunity to reduce the incidence of invasive lesions and also help in decreasing the mortality rates associated with these cancers. Methods: We are currently doing a large cluster randomized trial in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra, India to ascertain whether screening of oral cancers with visual examination by trained health workers and hypopharyngeal and esophageal cancers with double contrast barium swallow (DCBS) will reduce mortality from these diseases. The population between 35 and 65 years of age who have used tobacco and/or alcohol for more than five years are eligible f...