Alcoholism: risk factor for oral cancer and its new rise in a sample in the state of Paraná-Brazil over 30 years

Alcoholism continues to occupy a significant space in the global and Brazilian charts as one of the main risk factors for mouth cancer. Objective: To bring to literature the experience of 30 years of health actions to prevent oral cancer in the state of Paraná. Method: From 1989 to 2018, health actions aimed at preventing oral cancer were carried out in the State of Paraná - Brazil. A systematic anamnesis together with the intra-oral clinical examination was carried out on individuals participating in the campaigns over 30 years of age. Everyone responded to a questionnaire with personal data and reports of risky habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption. Results: 29,682 people were examined and 6,358 mouth lesions were detected in the evaluated population. With alcoholism, there was an increase in the percentage of patients who consume alcohol from 14.6% between 1989 and 2008 to 16% between 2009 and 2013. After this year, there was a significant increase to 20.7% from 2014 to 2018. Conclusion: Oral cancer prevention campaigns are extremely important, as they help in the early diagnosis of malignant and potentially malignant lesions.