Abstract B124: An assessment of awareness on oral cancer among smokeless tobacco users in the rural skirts of Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Abstract Background In India, the number of newly diagnosed tobacco related cancers has been estimated at approximately 250 000 out of a total of 700 000–900 000 new cancers diagnosed each year. Smokeless tobacco (ST) is tobacco consumed orally, not smoked. It has been in use for as long as other forms of tobacco consumption and its use have increased. The deleterious effects of smokeless tobacco use are perhaps not as well-known as those produced by smoking.  Smokeless tobacco use has been recognized as a cause of cancer. In developing countries, tobacco is mostly chewed with other ingredients. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of health hazards of tobacco among smokeless tobacco users in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. METHODOLOGY The inhabitants of the villages in Kancheepuram district were recruited after ethical clearance from the institutional ethical board, permission from the Village panchayat leader and informed consent from the participants to conduct the study. Inhabitants of the villages aged 18 to 75 years and present on the day data collection and who were willing to participate in the study were included.Random sampling method was used and data was collected from a cross-sectional survey, using a pretested Questionnaire, which included Demographic data, tobacco habits, its frequency and form.Anti-tobacco counselling was given on the spot and followed.The data collected was analysed using SPSS version21. RESULT: The study population consisted of total 800 individuals, male 400 and females 400. From the results it is observed that more than 70% were unaware of the harmful effects of using tobacco products. Majority of the females use smokeless tobacco and smoking tobacco was common among males. Most common cause of tobacco use was pleasure 32.5% and inducing factor were friends 43.7%. High prevalence of potentially malignant lesion were found among this population. Effectiveness of anti-tobacco counselling is greater among the females compared to males. CONCLUSION: The dangers from smoking and chewing tobacco are well documented within the literature but the public’s lack of knowledge of the risks is a concern. Health professionals are encouraged to disseminate information on the subject as widely as possible and improve existing screening programmes to ensure that the public is made aware of these risks, especially those within high-risk groups.   Citation Format: Delfin Lovelina Francis, Saravanan SP. An assessment of awareness on oral cancer among smokeless tobacco users in the rural skirts of Tamil Nadu, India [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B124.