Factors associated with early‐stage diagnosis of oral and pharyngeal cancer

Watson, Jennifer; Logan, Henrietta L.; Tomar, Scott L.; Sandow, Pamela R.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0528.2009.00470.x

Cited by 40 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…20 Of patients diagnosed with oral cancer, most can retrospectively pinpoint symptoms attributable to cancer and the majority of patients diagnosed with oral cancer report presenting as a result of their symptoms. 10,21 This being said, symptom recognition is not a reliable method of detecting tumours at an early stage since about 25% of oral cancers remain asymptomatic until they reach an advanced size. 22 Although tumours may not necessarily be detected at an early stage, attribution of symptoms to cancer can at least lead to earlier detection.…”

Section: Australian Dental Journalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient perspectives of diagnostic delay for suspicious oral mucosal lesions

Allen

Farah

2015

Australian Dental Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: This study aimed to investigate patient experiences regarding the discovery of and subsequent referral for suspicious oral mucosal pathology. The population under investigation were patients of an oral medicine clinic in Australia who had been referred for oral lesions suspected for malignancy. Methods: A self-completed questionnaire gathered information regarding patient experiences and beliefs leading up to diagnosis at their review appointments. Results: Fifty-four per cent of participants knew about their mucosal pathology before referral. The highest proportion of delay occurred between self-discovery of a lesion and seeking help. Ninety-one per cent of self-aware participants had reason for seeking help in relation to their mucosal pathology. The three most common reasons for this was the desire for an explanation, being advised by a health care provider or presence of pain. Conclusions: Some patients were unaware of their own oral mucosal pathology and some seek help only when worried, in pain or following advice. Practitioners should examine the oral mucosa to detect suspicious oral mucosal pathology since patients may not be aware of its existence.

show abstract

Section: Australian Dental Journalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient perspectives of diagnostic delay for suspicious oral mucosal lesions

Allen

Farah

2015

Australian Dental Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…40 Of patients diagnosed with oral cancer, most can retrospectively pinpoint symptoms attributable to cancer and the majority of patients diagnosed with oral cancer report presenting as a result of their symptoms. 16,46 This being said, symptom recognition is not a reliable method of detecting tumours at an early stage since about 25% of oral cancers remain silent until they reach an advanced size. 21 Although tumours may not necessarily be detected at an early stage, attribution of symptoms to cancer can at least lead to earlier detection.…”

Section: Lesion Factors Contributing To Delaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One study did however report that most individuals in the USA diagnosed with oral cancer had health insurance coverage, and those that had no coverage did not exhibit excessive delay. 46 A study performed in the UK reported that an oral cancer patient waited to see a free NHS dentist rather than be seen immediately by a private dentist, for which a fee would be charged. 8 Only three out of 44 patients interviewed in England identified costs of a dental check up to be a large barrier.…”

Section: Socio Demographic Factors Contributing To Delaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…60,61 It has been shown that patients who develop an oral cancer and who regularly attend a dentist are more likely to have their cancer diagnosed in its early stages. 46 Often, asymptomatic lesions are discovered incidentally during dental examination. 47,62,63 However, even following a routine dental examination malignant lesions are sometimes missed.…”

Section: Mucosal Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19,51 Only about half of the patients interviewed in the USA had a regular dentist. 46 Often patients were found to have competing responsibilities or priorities such as work commitments or comorbidities. 19 Most previous studies have only looked at the barriers to help seeking.…”

Section: Barriers and Triggers To Help Seekingmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Oral Cancer and Potentially Cancerous Lesions - Early Detection and Diagnosis

Farah¹,

Ford²,

Allen³

et al. 2012

Oral Cancer

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predictors of Pain Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Shuman¹,

Terrell²,

Light³

et al. 2012

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective Pain is a strong contributor to cancer patients’ quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of pain 1 year after the diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Design Prospective, multi-site cohort study. Setting Three academically-affiliated medical centers. Patients Previously untreated patients with carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract (n=374). Main Outcome Measures Participants were surveyed pre-treatment and 1 year thereafter. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine predictors of the SF-36 bodily pain score 1 year after diagnosis. Results The mean SF-36 bodily pain score at 1 year was 65, compared to 61 at diagnosis (p=.004), compared to 75 among population norms (lower scores indicate worse pain). Variables independently associated with pain included pre-treatment pain score (p<0.001), less education (p=0.02), neck dissection (p=0.001), feeding tube (p=0.05), xerostomia (p<0.001), depressive symptoms (p<0.001), taking more pain medication (p<0.001), less physical activity (p=.02), and poor sleep quality (p=0.006). Current smoking and problem drinking were marginally significant (p=0.07 and 0.08, respectively). Conclusions Aggressive pain management may be indicated for head and neck cancer patients who undergo neck dissections, complain of xerostomia, require feeding tubes, and have medical comorbidities. Treatment of modifiable risk factors such as depression, poor sleep quality, tobacco and alcohol abuse may also reduce pain and improve quality of life among head and neck cancer patients.

show abstract

Factors associated with early‐stage diagnosis of oral and pharyngeal cancer

Abstract: These results emphasize the importance of periodic and thorough OPC examinations.

Cited by 40 publications

References 33 publications

Patient perspectives of diagnostic delay for suspicious oral mucosal lesions

Patient perspectives of diagnostic delay for suspicious oral mucosal lesions

Oral Cancer and Potentially Cancerous Lesions - Early Detection and Diagnosis

Predictors of Pain Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About