Background An early diagnosis depends greatly on patient awareness. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate general awareness of oral cancer and knowledge about its risk factors, signs and symptoms. Material and Methods Cross-sectional population-based survey of randomly selected respondents conducted from March 1, 2015 to 30 June 2016. Results A total of 5,727 people entered the survey (response rate: 53%). When asked what cancers participants had heard about, 20.3% mentioned oral cancer. Regarding risk factors, tobacco was mentioned by 55.3% of the sample (n=3,169), followed by alcohol (12.5%; n=708), poor oral hygiene (10.8%; n=618), diet (6.5%; n=377), and genetics (4.5%; n=248). Conclusions General population has low awareness of oral cancer with poor knowledge of risk factors and main alarm signs. In addition, individuals in the risk group scored lower values in the main variables analysed; even those highly educated showed insufficient awareness and knowledge of oral cancer. In these circumstances, there is clear need for educational interventions tailored to the target audience and aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness of oral cancer to promote primary prevention of oral cancer and minimising the time interval of patients with symptomatic oral cancer in their path to treatment. Key words: Oral cancer, awareness, risk factors, surveys and questionnaires, Spain.

Background to analyse the potential risk factors of tongue lesions, comparing the results with a control group. Material and Methods An observational, case-control study was designed. The study included a case group comprising 336 patients with tongue lesions and 336 sex and age-matched controls. We recorded tobacco/alcohol habits, presence of dentures, allergies, medical conditions, and medications. Statistical analysis was performed via logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratio (OR) adjusted for gender, age, tobacco, and alcohol using propensity score-matching analysis (PSM). Results According to the final PSM model, patients with tongue lesions were more likely to suffer from allergies (OR 2.13; 1.27-3.66) or medical conditions (OR 2.14; 1.19-3.85), and more likely to take medication (OR 1.99; 1.11-3.57). Elderly individuals were more prone to hairy tongue (OR 3.82; 1.53-10.47). Smoking was associated with coated tongue (OR 2.05; 1.12-3.63), hairy tongue (OR 3.77; 1.52-9.22) and median rhomboid glossitis (OR 40.49; 5.84-860.43). Allergic individuals were more likely to exhibit sublingual varices (OR 1.73; 1.02-2.88). Medical conditions increased the chances of having coated tongue (OR 2.44; 1.36-4.64) or crenated tongue (OR 2.70; 1.42-5.30). Arterial hypertension was associated with median rhomboid glossitis (OR 5.85; 1.08-34.18). Individuals on medication showed a higher risk of fissured tongue (OR 1.87; 1.20-2.94) and varices (OR 2.42; 1.58-3.80). Agents acting on the alimentary tract and metabolism increased the probability of fissured tongue (OR 2.31; 1.42-3.79). Conclusions As far as we are aware, this is the first study on lingual pathology to include a PSM analysis. The results suggest that a history of allergies, the presence of medical conditions, and the use of medication are associated with increased probability of tongue lesions. The analysis of diseases and medications by subgroups requires studies matched by habits with larger sample sizes, in order to corroborate our observations. Key words: Tongue lesions, fissured tongue, allergies, medications, risk factors, systemic diseases.

Background Primary care physicians have been reported to be the first choice for patients with oral ulcerations. This study investigates the health-seeking behaviour of lay public in Galicia (North-western Spain) if experiencing a long-standing oral ulceration. Material and Methods Cross-sectional population-based survey of randomly selected respondents conducted from March 1, 2015 to 30 June 2016. Results A total of 5,727 pedestrians entered the study (response rate: 53%), mostly in the 45-64 age group (30.2%; n=1,728), 47.7% of them (n=2,729) were males. Most participants (42.1%; n=2,411) reported to visit their dentist once a year and had secondary or compulsory education as their highest educational achievement (28.18%, n=1,614; 28%, n=1,600 respectively). When questioned what they would do if they had a wound/ulceration lasting longer than 3 weeks, most participants answered they would go to see their primary care physician (62.8%; n=3,597) and less than one quarter of the sample (23.8%; n=1,371) would seek consultation with their dentist. Conclusions General Galician population would seek professional consultation about a long-standing oral ulceration, relying mostly on primary care physicians. Those neglecting these lesions are elderly, less-schooled people and unaware of oral cancer. Key words: Oral ulceration, oral cancer, patient attitudes, surveys and questionnaires, Spain