Oral cancer awareness amongst hospital nursing staff: a pilot study

Lachlan M Carter,Vikram P Kavi,Andrew T Harris,Sarah Johnson,Anastasios Kanatas

doi:10.1186/1472-6831-9-4

Lachlan M Carter, Vikram P Kavi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-9-4

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Abstract

BackgroundOral cancer is as prevalent as cervical and testicular cancer in the United Kingdom. Nursing staff provide the oral health care for the patient population in hospital. Admission to hospital provides a 'window of opportunity' for oral cancer 'screening' via an oral health check during nursing clerking. This study aimed to investigate whether nursing staff are aware of risk factors for oral cancer, its clinical signs, and could therefore provide a 'screening' service for oral cancer.MethodThrough the use of a questionnaire we assessed 121 nursing staff on oral health check behaviour and attitudes; their knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer; their understanding of common clinical signs of oral cancer; and their undergraduate and postgraduate training in oral health and oral cancer.ResultsOver 80% thought oral health checks were important although only 49% performed this task regularly; approximately 70% identified smoking as a risk factor but less than 30% identified alcohol. Awareness of the clinical signs of oral cancer was low with 21% identifying white patches, 15% identifying ulceration and only 2% identifying red patches despite their malignant potential. Nurses within 3 years of qualification were significantly better at recognising risk factors for oral cancer than their colleagues, identifying a need for continuing postgraduate education on oral health and oral cancer. Sixty-one percent of nursing staff received oral healthcare as an undergraduate with 34 percent receiving postgraduate training.ConclusionAn oral health check upon admission to hospital provides an opportunity for nurses to 'screen' for oral diseases including oral cancer and allows nurses a greater role in total patient care. Nurses' awareness of oral cancer risk factors and clinical signs was, however, poor. This study highlights a need for improved education of nurses on oral cancer to make the oral health check on admission viable for oral cancer screening.

Highlights

IntroductionNursing staff provide the oral health care for the patient population in hospital
Oral cancer is as prevalent as cervical and testicular cancer in the United Kingdom
Over 80% thought oral health checks were important only 49% performed this task regularly; approximately 70% identified smoking as a risk factor but less than 30% identified alcohol

Summary

Introduction

Nursing staff provide the oral health care for the patient population in hospital. Admission to hospital provides a 'window of opportunity' for oral cancer 'screening' via an oral health check during nursing clerking. This study aimed to investigate whether nursing staff are aware of risk factors for oral cancer, its clinical signs, and could provide a 'screening' service for oral cancer. Of these the commonest presenting sign is ulceration The preponderance of this disease is identified through general medical and dental care [12,13,14]. Nursing staff provide oral health care for the patient population in hospital; this is especially true of the vulnerable elderly cohorts who are more likely to suffer from oral cancer. This study questioned hospital based nursing staff in the East Yorkshire region on their awareness of oral cancer, its risk factors and presenting signs

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