Tulane University Researchers Describe New Findings in Oral Cancer (Nationwide oral cancer screening and rural-urban disparities in oral cancer diagnosis, treatment and mortality: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan): Oncology – Oral Cancer

2026 MAR 11 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Clinical Trials Daily -- New study results on oral cancer have been published. According to news originating from New Orleans, Louisiana, by NewsRx editors, the research stated, “This study assesses the association between Taiwan’s national oral cancer screening (OCS) programme and rural-urban disparities in late-stage diagnosis, treatment delays and mortality among oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients.”

Funders for this research include Ministry of Science And Technology, Taiwan.

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from Tulane University: “A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Cancer Registry and National Health Insurance databases, including 16 430 OCC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2013, with follow-up through 2018. Among urban patients, OCS was associated with a lower likelihood of late-stage diagnosis (AOR=0.86, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.92, p<0.01) but a higher likelihood of treatment delay (AOR=1.09, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.19, p=0.04). Unscreened rural patients were more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage (AOR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.74, p=0.02), whereas no statistically significant association was observed among screened rural patients (AOR=0.93, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18, p=0.54). Rural-urban disparities in late-stage diagnosis and mortality among OCC patients persist in Taiwan. While OCS was associated with fewer late-stage diagnoses in both urban and rural patients, these benefits were more evident among urban patients. No significant reduction in rural-urban mortality disparities was observed.”

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: “Comprehensive strategies, including strengthening rural diagnostic and treatment capacity, are needed to reduce these disparities.”

For more information on this research see: Nationwide oral cancer screening and rural-urban disparities in oral cancer diagnosis, treatment and mortality: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan. BMJ Public Health, 2026,4(1). The publisher for BMJ Public Health is BMJ Publishing Group.

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2025-003963.

Our news editors report that more information may be obtained by contacting Ethan Tsai, Department of Health Policy and Management, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Additional authors for this research include Brigham Walker, Shiao-Chi Wu.

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