Knowledge of Future Dental Practitioners towards Oral Cancer: Exploratory Findings from a Public University in Malaysia.

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula,Nazrin Bin Zakaria,Shazia Qasim Jamshed

doi:10.1155/2015/218065

Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula, Nazrin Bin Zakaria + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/218065

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Abstract

Objective. To assess knowledge and awareness of oral cancer in the early identification of risk factors among undergraduate dental students. Methods. A total of 162 undergraduate (third, fourth, and fifth year) dental students at International Islamic University, Malaysia, were approached to participate in the study, and those who agreed were administered. A 9-item pretested questionnaire contains questions on oral examination, oral cancer risk factors, and requests for further information. Descriptive statistics were conducted using chi-square testing. Results. The response rate of the study was 70.3% (114/162), with 26 (22.8%) males and 88 (77.2%) females. All undergraduate dental students were familiar with examining the oral mucosa of their patients and most were likely to advise patients about the risk factors for developing oral cancer (98.2%). Nearly one-third (32.4%) of students reported examining patients with oral lesions as early signs for oral cancer (P < 0.001) and nearly 70% agreed that they did not have sufficient knowledge regarding the prevention and detection of oral cancer (P < 0.001). In addition, more than 95.6% agreed that there is a need for additional information/teaching regarding oral cancer. Further, 61.3% and 14.1% identified tobacco smoking and drinking alcohol as major risk factors for developing oral cancer. Conclusion. This study demonstrated lack of awareness about risk factors among undergraduate dental students regarding oral cancer. Reinforcing awareness and enhancing the benefits of early detection on prevention of oral cancer should be done through training and/or educational intervention.

Highlights

The incidence of oral cancer especially squamous cell carcinoma accounts for nearly 2.4% of all cancers [1]
Marijuana, chewing beetle-leaf, human papilloma virus, ultraviolet radiations, iron deficiency anemia, candida infections, immunosuppression, and deletion or mutation of tumor suppressor genes are some of the other causes of oral cancer [4]
Ethical permission to conduct the study was obtained from the respective Deans, International Islamic University, Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

The incidence of oral cancer especially squamous cell carcinoma accounts for nearly 2.4% of all cancers [1]. Due to significant number of oral cancer cases raising rapidly in the developing regions this is found to be the sixth most common cancer worldwide [2]. Life style habits such as heavy smoking and alcoholism are the important risk factors for developing oral cancer that increases at least three- to fifteenfold especially in females and young people [3]. In 2011, World Health Organization (WHO) reported the incidence of oral cancer deaths in Malaysia to about 1.5% of the total deaths, with age adjusted death rate of 7.72 per 100,000 populations [6]. Malaysia ranked 14 in the world with annual oral cancer deaths of 1,587 [7]

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Results

Conclusion