Abstract
One of the main causes of delay in diagnosis of oral cancer is lack of awareness about aetiology and symptoms among the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of patients regarding oral cancer and their attitude towards tobacco cessation. This study was carried out in Isfahan-Iran in 2014. A 29-item self-administrated questionnaire was designed and piloted and distributed to patients attending dental clinics. Questions were focused on awareness about oral cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, places in the mouth which are more susceptible and attitude toward tobacco cessation. Chi-square, T-test, ANOVA and logistic regression tests were used for statistical analysis. A total of 546 valid completed questionnaires were obtained. The mean knowledge score of patients was 4.1(±2.7) out of 13. Some 80% of patients did not know about early manifestations of oral cancer. Only 18% knew the most likely sites of oral cancer. Only 43.1% and 65.2% of patients reported alcohol and tobacco consumption as the main risk factors but they had a fair knowledge about other risk factors. There was no significant difference in Knowledge level between patients regarding their sex, educational levels and age. Most patents (90%) expected their dentists to warn them about the harmful effects of smoking and showed willingness to quit if recommended. Knowledge about oral cancer was found to be quite low. It seems necessary to increase the level of public awareness using educational programs with cooperation of dentists in tobacco cessation programs.
Highlights
Oral cancer is a growing concern in many countries specially in developing countries (Philip et al, 2013), comprising 3% of all cancers in men and 2% of all cancers in women (Warnakulasuriya, 2009).In 2012,the incidence of lip and oral cavity cancers was reported to be 2.2 in men and 1.8 in female,and the mortality rate was estimated 0.68/100000 in Iran (Ferlay et al, 2012)
In 2010, a study conducted in Isfahan, Iran reported that the incidence of oral cancers had been increased (Razavi et al, 2012)
Almost two-third of oral cancer patients are diagnosed at late stages, leading to extensive treatment and low survival rates (Prelec andLaronde, 2014)
Summary
Oral cancer is a growing concern in many countries specially in developing countries (Philip et al, 2013), comprising 3% of all cancers in men and 2% of all cancers in women (Warnakulasuriya, 2009).In 2012,the incidence of lip and oral cavity cancers was reported to be 2.2 in men and 1.8 in female,and the mortality rate was estimated 0.68/100000 in Iran (Ferlay et al, 2012). In 2010, a study conducted in Isfahan, Iran reported that the incidence of oral cancers had been increased (Razavi et al, 2012). Common risk factors are tobacco and alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of patients regarding oral cancer and their attitude towards tobacco cessation. Questions were focused on awareness about oral cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, places in the mouth which are more susceptible and attitude toward tobacco cessation. 43.1% and 65.2% of patients reported alcohol and tobacco consumption as the main risk factors but they had a fair knowledge about other risk factors. It seems necessary to increase the level of public awareness using educational programs with cooperation of dentists in tobacco cessation programs
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