Between Inequities and Possibilities: How Intersectionality can Transform Oral Cancer Care in the National Health System

Abstract

Oral cancer remains a major public health concern, marked by late diagnosis and outcomes shaped by structural inequalities. In Brazil, the experience of illness is mediated by social markers of difference, requiring approaches that move beyond traditional epidemiological models. Intersectionality offers an analytical lens capable of revealing how multiple dimensions of vulnerability affect access, care, and health outcomes. Oral cancer care within the National Health System (SUS) depends on the consolidation of the National Oral Health Policy and the Oral Health Care Network. Despite recent progress, persistent barriers disproportionately affect historically marginalized groups. Evidence shows that race, gender, education, and socioeconomic status influence time to diagnosis and treatment, exposing enduring inequalities. Integrating intersectionality into the work processes of Primary Care, Dental Specialty Centers, and health surveillance can strengthen equitable and transformative practices, promoting comprehensive care. In research, critical perspectives and robust theoretical-methodological designs – including mixed methods – deepen the understanding of intersectional relations shaping illness experiences and inform transformative policies. Embracing intersectionality in care and research on oral cancer reinforces SUS as a civilizing project, expanding visibility for vulnerable populations and promoting practices grounded on equity and social justice.