scholarly journals Oral Cancer Awareness among Dental Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-169
Author(s):  
Barsha Bajracharya ◽  
Anita Dahal ◽  
Rajeeb Kumar Deo

Introduction: The incidence of oral cancer in South Asian countries, including Nepal is increasing despite the fact that all of its risk factors are modifiable. This can be attributed to lack of awareness regarding oral cancer and its risk factors among general public. This study was conducted among subjects attending Dental OPD of a tertiary hospital to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding oral cancer and also practices of risk factors associated with it.  Methods: This is a questionnaire based cross-sectional study conducted from July 2020 to October 2020. Subjects attending Dental OPD of a tertiary hospital in Kathmandu were asked to fill a structured close-ended Questionnaire. Section one of the questionnaire focused on the demographic data of the subjects, second part elicited information pertaining to knowledge of oral cancer, third part focused on attitude and fourth part on practices of participants towards risk factors of oral cancer. Result: Out of 300 subjects, 65% were males. Most were in the age group 41 - 50 years and 75.6% were literate. Majority mentioned smokeless tobacco as the risk factor, followed by smoking and alcohol. Regarding signs and symptoms, most of the participants mentioned non-healing ulcer, followed by lump and pain. Most of the participants responded tongue as the most common site of oral cancer. Majority answered that oral cancer can be prevented by not chewing tobacco. Among the total, 55.3% said oral cancer is non-contagious. Only 25% had undergone oral examination in the last one year. 31.7% had habit of tobacco and / or alcohol. Conclusions: The awareness level and knowledge about risk factors and early signs of oral cancer in this cross-section of dental patients were satisfactory. Key words: awareness; oral cancer; risk factors; tobacco

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (222) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratibha Poudel ◽  
Ritesh Srii ◽  
Vinay Marla

Introduction: The incidence of oral cancer is rising due to overindulgence in tobacco chewing and smoking. Its detection in early stage makes it more amenable to treatment and helps to reduce associated morbidity. However, most cases are diagnosed at later stage due to lack of awareness about oral cancer and associated risk factors. This study aims to observe the oral cancer awareness among undergraduate dental students and dental surgeons of three dental institutions of Nepal. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three dental institutions of Nepal from January 2019 to May 2019. Convenience sampling method was used. The data was collected from 508 participants through questionnaire adopted from Carter and Ogden. Point estimate at 95 % Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: Our study showed that 120 (23.6%) of the participants were well informed about the clinical appearance of oral cancer at 95% confidence interval (19.91-27.29). Most of the participants i.e. 457 (89.96%) and 395 (77.75%) were aware that smoking and chewing tobacco were most commonly recognized risk factors. Only 200 (39.37%) participants were aware that non-healing ulcer is considered as the changes associated with oral cancer. Three hundred and forty-four (67.7%) said they have no knowledge about the prevention and detection of oral cancer. Conclusions: Our study exhibited the apparent lack of awareness in some aspects of oral cancer and highlights the need of enhancing the undergraduate dental syllabus.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-64
Author(s):  
Durga Devi Chaulagain ◽  
Kamal Prasad Parajuli ◽  
Bhumika Khatiwada

 Background: Increased use of tobacco and tobacco products result into increment of patients with oral cancer. Many people are still unaware of the consequences of chewing tobacco. Approximately 19% of participants had adequate knowledge of awareness, large number of participants, i.e., 73% had moderate knowledge of awareness and 8% of the participants had inadequate level of awareness about oral cancer. Methods and materials: Analytical cross-sectional research design was used for the study. Samples were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Frequencies, mean and standard deviations were used to describe the socio-demographic variables. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used to find the main difference of awareness scores by socio-demographic variables. Results: Among 90 participants, 18% had adequate level of awareness, 73% had moderate and 7.8% of participants had inadequate level of awareness regarding oral cancer. Conclusion: The study showed that awareness regarding oral cancer among the people of Biratnagar Metropolitan City is moderate. The study emphasizes that the effects must be made to make people aware of oral cancer.Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 7, Number 1, Issue 12, January-June 2018, Page: 60-64


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 01027
Author(s):  
Olga Gileva ◽  
Tatiana Libik ◽  
Fatima Daurova ◽  
Olga Mudrova ◽  
Tatiana Redinova

The secret of longevity is not only in healthy lifestyle and genetics, but in the forehanded prevention of diseases. Nowadays the preservation of health is much more the patient’s responsibility. This mission can be realized only through the high level of patient’s awareness and treatment compliance. Oral cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among all malignancies worldwide. A gap in patient knowledge about oral cancer, specifically related to risk factors and signs and symptoms, is posited to be among the key modifiable factor contributing to high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the oral cancer awareness among patients of the risk group (aged patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases). Results of the study showed the lack of oral cancer awareness among patients: the mean knowledge score for the risk factors – 3, 1 ± 1, 2 out of 8, 0, for the signs and symptoms – 4, 9 ± 1, 3 out of 12, 0. It was found that women had higher oncological awareness than men, as well as participants with high educational level, and patients with premalignant oral lesions (oral lichen planus, oral leukoplakia). Educational programs are essential for improvement of oral cancer awareness among population.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilkay Peker ◽  
Meryem Toraman Alkurt

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of public awareness and knowledge about early signs and risk factors of oral cancer among a group of dental patients in Turkey. Methods and Materials This study included 1022 participants. Sociodemographic information of patients was obtained. A questionnaire about awareness and knowledge of oral cancer and early signs and risk factors related to the disease was completed by two examiners. Data were statistically analyzed with descriptive analyses, crosstabs and chi-square tests. Results In total 60.7% of participants had never heard of oral cancer. While 79.2% of the participants were unaware of the early signs related to oral cancer, 29.9% of them were unaware of risk factors of the disease. There were no statistically significant differences between age, gender, and education levels for awareness of risk factors. Statistically significant differences were found between age and gender and no statistically significant difference was found between education levels for awareness of early signs. Conclusion This study showed that public awareness and knowledge about oral cancer were insufficient in Turkey. Clinical Significance There is an important need to inform the public about oral cancer, its risk factors, and early signs of the disease. Media campaigns can be useful to raise oral cancer awareness. Citation Peker I, Alkurt MT. Public Awareness Level of Oral Cancer in a Group of Dental Patients. J Contemp Dent Pract [Internet]. 2010 March; 11(2):049-056. Available from: http://www.thejcdp. com/journal/view/volume11-issue2-peker.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 194
Author(s):  
Zuweina Al-Ismaili ◽  
Khalid Al-Nasri ◽  
Amal Al-Yaqoobi ◽  
Ahmed Al-Shukaili

Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge of breast cancer (BC) risk factors, warning signs and symptoms and breast self-examination (BSE) practice among Omani female teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of female teachers aged 20–50 years was collected from January to December 2018 from three wilayats (provinces) in Al-Dhahira—Ibri, Dhank and Yunqal. A questionnaire that included the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale and demographic characteristics was administered. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and Pearson’s Chi-square test. Results: A total of 478 female teachers were included in the study (response rate: 72.4%). The majority of participants (60.5%) had good overall knowledge about BC while 19.9% of participants had excellent overall knowledge. Only 9% of participants demonstrating excellent knowledge of BC risk factors. More than half of the participants (56.1%) reported excellent knowledge in screening methods. Unfortunately, only 57% of the female teachers indicated practising BSE. Knowledge of BC symptoms was closely divided between excellent and good levels (45.8 and 42.5%, respectively). BSE practice was significantly (P <0.05) correlated with overall knowledge of BC and its symptoms and screening methods, but not with knowledge of BC risk factors. Conclusion: This study revealed unsatisfactory overall knowledge of BC risk factors, symptoms, screening methods and BSE practice among female Omani teachers in Al-Dhahira Governorate. These findings constitute a challenge to healthcare providers to continue developing awareness of BC and providing health information to the public.Keywords: Breast Cancer; Awareness; Knowledge; Breast Self-Examination; Risk factors; Signs and Symptoms; Oman.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamedraed Elshami ◽  
Bettina Bottcher ◽  
Mohammed Alkhatib ◽  
Iyad Ismail ◽  
Khitam Abu-Nemer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Several factors might contribute to the delay to get cancer care including poor cancer awareness and having barriers to seeking help. This study described these barriers in Gaza and their association with recalling and recognizing cancer symptoms and risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gaza. Adult visitors (≥18 years) to the largest three governmental hospitals and adolescent students (15–17 years) from ten high schools were recruited. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) was used to collect data in face-to-face interviews. It described demographic data, barriers to seek cancer care as well as recall and recognition of cancer symptoms and risk factors. Responses were compared between adults and adolescents as well as males and females. Results Of 3033 participants approached, 2886 completed the CAM (response rate= 95.2%). Among them, 1429 (49.5%) were adult (702 females; 49.1%) and 1457 (50.5%) were adolescent (781 females; 53.6%). The mean age± standard deviation (SD) of adult and adolescent participants was 33.7±11.7 years and 16.3±0.8 years, respectively. Emotional barriers were the most common barriers with ‘feeling scared’ as the most reported barrier (n=1512, 52.4%). Females and adolescents were more likely to report ‘feeling scared’ as a barrier than males and adults, respectively. Higher recall scores for cancer symptoms were associated with lower likelihood to report ‘embarrassment’, ‘worry about wasting doctor’s time’ and ‘difficulty arranging transport’. This was also seen for recalling risk factors, where ‘embarrassment’ and all practical barriers showed significant inverse associations with higher scores. In addition, greater recognition scores of cancer risk factors were inversely associated with reporting ‘embarrassment’ and ‘feeling scared’. Conclusions The most commonly perceived barriers to seeking cancer care were ‘feeling scared’ and ‘feeling worried about what the doctor might find’, followed by practical and service barriers. Females and adolescents were more likely to report ‘fear’ as a barrier to seek medical advice. Having a higher recall of cancer symptoms and risk factors was inversely associated with reporting most barriers. To improve patient outcome, early presentation can be facilitated by targeting barriers specific to population groups.


Author(s):  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Somdatta Patra ◽  
Kamal Agrawal

Background: Oral cancer accounts for approximately 200,000 deaths annually worldwide and 46,000 deaths occurring in India. Oral cancer is largely preventable by avoiding known risk factors. Delayed presentation of oral cancer is mainly due to lack of awareness of the public about oral cancer and its associated risk factors. The knowledge and understanding of oral cancer influences individuals in prevention and treatment seeking behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional community based survey was conducted in North-east Delhi and 775 families were covered. The eldest member from each family, were interviewed about oral cancer by using pre tested study schedule. Data were analyzed and appropriate tests of significance were applied. Results: Majority of the study subjects were females (63.5%) and were belonging to socioeconomic class V and IV (68.1%). Although 80.9% of the study participants were aware and have heard about oral cancer, and this awareness was directly proportional to literacy status (p=0.001). “Chewing tobacco” was most commonly recognized risk factor (77.7%). Less than half of them knew that oral cancer is preventable (45%). The most common media through which this study population heard about oral cancer was electronic media (90.3%). Conclusions: Although the majority of the study population had heard about oral cancer, but in-depth knowledge of its risk factors and sign and symptoms was poor that affects the practices regarding prevention and early detection negatively. For increasing awareness oral health education programs should be carried out. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 192
Author(s):  
Mujgan Firincioglulari ◽  
Secil Aksoy ◽  
Kaan Orhan

Public knowledge about oral cancer may help to prevent and detect the disease at an early stage. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and knowledge levels on oral cancer symptoms and risk factors among patients attending a faculty of dentistry in North Cyprus. A total of 250 adult dental patients participated voluntarily in a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic profile, oral cancer awareness, and knowledge. A total of 54.8% of the participants were male and 91.2% of the participants had a high school diploma and above education. Most participants were knowledgeable about oral cancer symptoms and a majority of them identified oral ulceration (64%). Tobacco cessation was the most selected option for protecting from oral cancer (79.6%). Significant differences were found between genders in current smokers, past tobacco users, alcohol users, and HPV awareness questions (p < 0.05). Furthermore, awareness and knowledge questions were compared between smoker and non-smoker participants and significant differences were found in the answers of ‘alcohol may cause mouth cancer’ and ‘quit tobacco use to prevent oral cancer’ (p < 0.05). This study showed that most of the participants were aware that tobacco cessation reduces the risk of oral cancer. The survey results showed that patients in North Cyprus are generally aware of the risk of tobacco-related oral cancer, but they demonstrate lower knowledge about other risk factors.


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