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BackgroundAlthough several studies have reported the direct cost of oral cancer (OC), little research has invested the factors that could influence the costs of OC patient. This study analyzes the epidemiological characteristics and the direct cost of OC. More specifically, the study examines the relationship between patients' medical costs and influencing factors of epidemiology.MethodsAll patients encountered from January 2007 to December 2007 at the School of Stomatology of the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU) in China with diagnosis of oral cancer have been selected. Medical hospitalization days (MHD) and cost per patient (CPP) of the samples have been calculated for different patient groups, and the results have been compared using statistical methods.ResultsA total of 456 oral cancer patients have been selected in this study. The epidemical characteristics are as follows: female/male 176/280; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)/adenocarcinoma/sarcoma/lymphoma/other types 246/127/40/27/16; stage I/II/III/IV 90/148/103/115; smoker/non-smoker 136/320; rural/urban patients 82/374. Of all the patients, 82.24% were over 40 years of age. Rural patients were significantly younger than urban patients. SCC was the majority histology in older patients, while sarcoma was more common in younger patients. 372 of the patients received treatment and 84 gave up any treatment after diagnosis. Treatment cost accounted for majority of the payment. The CPP and MHD of patients in late clinical stage were higher than that of patient in early stage.ConclusionGender, smoking habit and age older than 40 years are the epidemiological risk factors for oral cancer. Lack of medicare, smoking habit, late clinical stage and SCC are the high economic factors for patient medical cost.

Extant research on sexual identity development among sexual minority individuals has been predominantly conducted in Western contexts and focused on factors that hinder identity development processes. Using thematic analysis, this qualitative study sought to explore the experiences of sexual identity development among Chinese sexual minority men as well as the facilitative factors in China that positively influence this developmental process. The sample comprised 24 participants who self-identified as Chinese sexual minority men. The analysis yielded five overarching themes: awareness of one's attraction and corresponding reactions, identity exploration, moving toward identity acceptance and commitment, acceptance and support from others, and environmental support. The first three themes described the processes of sexual identity development among Chinese sexual minority men, whereas the latter two themes centered on the related facilitative factors in the context of China. The results highlight the importance of understanding the identity development process within Chinese minority men's unique sociocultural contexts. Public Significance StatementThis study contributes to the understanding of Chinese sexual minority men's experiences regarding sexual identity development. We explored the factors that help Chinese sexual minority men recognize and process their identities in the context of China. Suggestions are made for counseling psychologists about how focusing on the Chinese context can inform clinical interventions so that they can better assist Chinese sexual minority men to navigate their identities.