Empowerment and Increased Understanding Related to Early Detection of Potentially Malignant Oral Mucosal Lesions in Adolescents in Malangan

Abstract

Cancer is one of the health problems in the world. The number of oral cancers continues to increase with mortality reaching half of the total incidence. The number of oral cancers continues to increase with the mortality rate being half of its incidence. The success rate of oral cancer treatment is related to the time the cancer is detected. The earlier the cancer can be recognized, the greater the hope of successful treatment will be. Cancer of the oral cavity is a disease that can be prevented along with increased knowledge about risk factors and signs and symptoms. Adolescence is an age of self-discovery vulnerable to bad habits influenced by association and environment. Bad habits often carried out since adolescence and associated with the incidence of malignant diseases in the future are smoking, drinking alcohol, and lifestyle. The lack of knowledge from the community, especially adolescents about risk factors for malignancy in the oral mucosa, makes public awareness and concern for oral soft tissue health low. It is necessary to formulate a solution to overcome the problems that exist in society, especially adolescents related to oral mucosal disorders that lead to malignancy. Counseling, education,  and examination are solutions that can be implemented in the adolescent community to overcome existing problems. Service activities are expected to be a solution and useful for increasing knowledge, understanding, and awareness of oral soft tissue health