Awareness of mouth cancer in Great Britain

Abstract

Objective There are more than 2,000 new cases of mouth cancer each year in Britain. Early detection is important yet little is known about population awareness of this disease and ability to recognise early signs, particularly among high risk groups. This study aimed to address this issue. Methods Data were collected by means of household survey. A total of 3,384 adults were questioned using a national probability sample. Respondents provided information on demographic characteristics, smoking status, and frequency of alcohol use. They were asked whether they had heard of mouth cancer. Their knowledge of early signs and risk factors was assessed. Results Whereas 95.6% of respondents said they had heard of mouth cancer, their awareness of early signs was low; for example, only 33.8% recognised that white patches in the mouth were a sign. The large majority understood that smoking and chewing tobacco were risk factors (84.7% and 80.1% respectively) but only 19.4% recognised alcohol use as a risk factor. In multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for relevant demographic factors, smokers and those with more frequent alcohol consumption were less likely to recognise early signs. Conclusions Awareness of early signs of mouth cancer is low and lower in people who as a result of their behaviour are at higher risk. There is a need to raise awareness in those at most risk.

Evaluation of Levels of Knowledge about Etiology and Symptoms of Oral Cancer in Southern Iran

“…In our study the rate of information about the risk factors in participants was less than other studies (Cannick et al, 2005;West et al, 2006). The knowledge of our participants about effect of smoking was more than other studies (Haung et al, 2003;Ashe et al, 2005;Cannick et al, 2005;Carter and Ogden, 2007;Pakfetrat et al, 2010).…”

A qualitative study examining the experience of primary care dentists in the detection and management of potentially malignant lesions. 2. Mechanics of the referral and patient communication

“…These two factors may explain why most patients did not appear to be perplexed, although the comments are limited to the perspective of the professional and may not necessarily record the actual experience of the individual patient. Overall, the literature is sparse in this area, 15,23 although it is known that the level of 'health literacy' is low, 26 particularly among those most at risk, 20 who are also more likely to be irregular attenders. 20,27 This means that communicating positive fi ndings to the patient can be a diffi cult task and this study suggests that it is infl uenced both by the style of communication adopted by the dentist and their personal beliefs about its value, 15 pointing to the need for further training.…”

“…Overall, the literature is sparse in this area, 15,23 although it is known that the level of 'health literacy' is low, 26 particularly among those most at risk, 20 who are also more likely to be irregular attenders. 20,27 This means that communicating positive fi ndings to the patient can be a diffi cult task and this study suggests that it is infl uenced both by the style of communication adopted by the dentist and their personal beliefs about its value, 15 pointing to the need for further training. 3,8,23 With respect to health promotion, McLeod et al's study 21 suggested that national publicity campaigns are not proving effective and this may in part be due to the fact that very few PCDs even mention mouth cancer during patient visits.…”

Patient awareness of oral cancer health advice in a dental access centre: a mixed methods study

“…2 While it would appear that tobacco usage is widely recognised by patients as a risk factor for OSCC, the effect of alcohol is not. 4,19 A previous study identified that significant numbers of patients attending the dental access centre in Nottingham (Integrated Dental Unit, IDU, Nottingham) have lifestyle habits that make them vulnerable to oral cancer, and that dental access centres might be wellplaced to play a role in the prevention of the disease. 20 The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent of patient awareness of a combined poster and leaflet campaign…”

“…2 The disease is largely preventable by avoiding known risk factors. 2,4,5 The main risk factors are smoking Objective In the United Kingdom in 2006, 5,325 persons were diagnosed with oral cancer; and in 2007 it caused around 1,850 deaths. The purpose of this study was to assess the patient awareness, in a dental access centre, of a poster and leaflet campaign providing information about smoking and excess alcohol consumption as risk factors in the development of oral cancer, and to explore dental patients' beliefs and perceptions about these risk factors.…”