Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer and Potentially Malignant Oral Disorders among Dental Patients in Far North Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Background: Public awareness/knowledge on oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC), potentially malignant disorders (PMODs) and their risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection of OPC and PMODs. Yet, there are no published data available on the awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs among people living in Far North Queensland, Australia. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and consisted of relevant questions to ascertain socio-demographic information, awareness and knowledge of OPC, PMODs and risk factors and questions on participant's exposure to risk factors and dietary history were also included. Survey was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the James Cook University School of Dentistry (JCU Dental), Cairns, Australia. Subjects above the age of 20 years (n=366) were randomly selected during the period from 31st July to 6th September 2013 and questionnaire was distributed to complete while they are waiting for treatment. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21 and the chi -squared test was employed to compare groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed that 52.3% of the respondents were aware of the existence of OPC but only 19.0% were aware of PMODs. Of those who were aware of oral cancer, 92% agreed or strongly agreed that smoking is a strong risk factor for OPC. Similarly a relatively high proportion of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco chewing (84%), tobacco chewing with areca nut (68%), chewing areca nut alone (51%) and exposure to actinic radiation (71%) as risk factors. However, the results for alcohol intake, age, and HPV infection were found to be relatively poor with proportions 33%, 34%, and 23% respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed an alarming lack of awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs.

Oral Cancer: Awareness and Knowledge Among Dental Patients in Riyadh

“…Disappointingly, only one fifth of subjects in this study knew about oral cancer from their dentists. This finding is in agreement with several awareness surveys that reported that the role played by dentists in educating their patients is secondary [16,19,21,22,26]. Limited patient attendance or accessibility to dental care personnel and deficiencies in knowledge among dental professional may explain why dentists are playing a lesser influential role than mass media in conveying oral cancer awareness among the public.…”

“…Although this rate of awareness is slightly higher than that reported among comparable hospital-based populations in Australia (52.3) [21], Jordan (45.6) [16], and the UK (56 %) [22], this figure is much lower than that reported in India (91.2) [20], Sri Lanka (95) [23], Yemen (71.5) [19], and the USA (84 %) [24]. Notably, higher levels of oral awareness have been reported from countries with a known high prevalence of oral cancer such as India and Sri Lanka.…”

Self Awareness of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer Among High-Risk Patients

“…The awareness of other risk factors like poor oral hygiene, actinic radiation, viral infections and micronutrient deficiency was very low. Formosa et al (21) have reported that 92% of their study respondents agreed or strongly agreed that smoking is a strong risk factor for oral cancer, followed by tobacco chewing (84%), tobacco chewing with areca nut (68%), chewing areca nut alone (51%) and exposure to actinic radiation (71%) as risk factors. However, the results for alcohol intake, age, and HPV infection were found to be relatively poor with proportions 33%, 34%, and 23% respectively.…”

“…Very few studies have investigated the awareness of individuals regarding OPMD (2,(19)(20)(21). A small number of studies have been dedicated to high risk patients, tobacco and alcohol users, but have been mainly limited to oral cancer awareness (9,22,23).…”

Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer among Siamese Ethnic Group in Tumpat, Kelantan

“…The questionnaire was divided into three parts: part A assessed the awareness of oral cancer, part B assessed the knowledge of signs and symptoms of oral cancer and part C assessed the respondents' knowledge of risk factors. This study differentiated between awareness and knowledge, based on the questionnaire by Agrawal et al (10) and Formosa et al (11). The response choices for each of the questions were categorised as 'incorrect', 'don't know' and 'correct'.…”