71 A recent study on lip cancer in Brazil has revealed significant disparities in healthcare service provision, particularly when it comes to early detection and treatment in less-served regions. The research, which examined lip cancer records alongside oral health services across various Brazilian states, highlights a concerning trend of unequal access to essential healthcare, with notable gaps between regions. The findings were published in the journal Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. The study, published in 2023, analysed data from the Unified Health System (SUS), using sources such as the Oncology Panel and the Department of Informatics to gain a comprehensive view of lip cancer incidences. Researchers reviewed 1,082 recorded cases, which accounted for 6.14% of all oral neoplasms in Brazil. The findings suggest that lip cancer detection is heavily influenced by the quality of healthcare services available, with some states lagging significantly behind others. Regions such as São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, and Paraná reported the highest number of cases, accounting for a combined total of over 50% of Brazil’s lip cancer cases. São Paulo alone registered 26.7% of the total. This pattern indicates a higher capacity for detection and treatment in these more developed areas, where access to Dental Specialty Centres (DSCs) and Oral Health Teams (OHTs) is more widespread. Conversely, states like Acre and Roraima recorded only one case each, underscoring the limited healthcare infrastructure in these areas. The study found a strong correlation between the availability of DSCs and OHTs and the number of recorded lip cancer cases. Regions with better access to specialised dental services were able to detect and treat more cases, while underserved areas struggled to provide adequate care. The correlation suggests that regions with a more robust oral healthcare infrastructure are better equipped to diagnose lip cancer at earlier stages, leading to improved outcomes for patients. However, the data also paints a worrying picture of the state of oral healthcare in less-developed regions. Many states in Brazil still lack the necessary healthcare services to provide adequate screening for lip cancer, leading to fewer recorded cases and likely underreporting of the true incidence. The unequal distribution of healthcare services exacerbates this issue, leaving many individuals in rural or impoverished areas without access to potentially life-saving treatments. The researchers behind the study emphasise the need for policy changes to address these disparities. Expanding access to DSCs and OHTs in underserved regions could significantly improve the early detection of lip cancer, potentially reducing mortality rates associated with the disease. In addition, the study advocates for more extensive public health campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the risks of lip cancer, particularly in areas where the disease is most likely underreported. Lip cancer remains a serious public health issue in Brazil, and while advancements in some states have improved detection and treatment outcomes, the country’s most vulnerable populations continue to face significant barriers. Without targeted interventions, the disparities between regions are likely to persist, putting more lives at risk.