This study examined the cost-effectiveness of a visual inspection for oral cancer prevention in individuals aged 35 years or older, in India.  The authors concluded that oral cancer screening by visual inspection was cost-effective, particularly for a high-risk population.

They reported that screening by visual inspection saved 269.31 life-years per 100,000 patients at a cost of  $835 per life-year saved.

The study was  reviewed by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD).  Although the results of the study are clearly reported, the CRD found insufficient details regarding randomisation and other methodological procedures to be able to determine its validity.

• Read the CRD review of “Cost-effectiveness of oral cancer screening: results from a cluster randomized controlled trial in India”