Knowledge of oral cancer, preventive attitudes, and behaviors of primary care physicians in Turkey

Abstract

Oral cancers (OCs) have a high mortality rate because of their typically late diagnosis. Primary care physicians play a vital role in early detection. In this study, we evaluated the family physicians' (FPs) knowledge, preventive attitudes, and behaviors in terms of OCs. A semistructured questionnaire consisting of 50 questions was prepared and distributed to 200 FPs. Questions were grouped under four main headings: demographic characteristics, general protective attitudes against OCs, risk factors, and daily practices while performing the necessary examinations and referrals. Of 200 FPs, 164 responded to the questionnaire (82% response rate). The mean age of the study participants was 34.8 ± 8.4 years and the mean duration of practice was 10 ± 8.1 years. One-third of the physicians (29.9%, n=49) stated that they did not inquire about the amount of tobacco use. In terms of alcohol use, 45.7% (n=75) and 56.7% (n=93) did not ask about past alcohol consumption or the amount of alcohol consumed, respectively. Moreover, 69.5% (n=114) believed that they did not receive adequate smoking cessation training and 79.9% (n=131) stated that they did not receive any alcohol cessation training. To decrease morbidity and mortality associated with OCs, primary care physicians should be trained to ask their patients about high-risk behaviors, provide counseling and education on tobacco and alcohol-abuse cessation, and provide oral examinations.

Medical practitioners’ educational competence about oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…On the basis of the study design, 21 cross-sectional studies aimed to investigate the MP knowledge status or skills, attitudes/perceptions and practices/behaviours towards OC/OPC quantitatively through questionnaires. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]23,24,[26][27][28][29][30][31][34][35][36][38][39][40][41] Additionally, five studies explored MP educational competence qualitatively through interviews, 22,25,32,38 and focus groups. 25,33 Finally, three intervention studies were detected that explored MP knowledge skills, [23][24][25] attitudes/perceptions, 23,24 and practices/behaviours 24,25 towards OC/OPC after their exposure to an educational activity.…”

“…With regard to the participants' specialty, eight studies involved GMP, 18,20,21,[23][24][25]33,41 six involved primary care physicians (PCP) 17,22,26,28,32,39 five included physicians, 27,34,35,38,41 two studies included family physicians, 19,30 one study entailed otorhinolaryngologists, 23 one study involved internists, 23 two studies included dermatologists, 23,36 and one study involved radiation oncologists. 29 Finally, 11 studies were conducted in the USA, 17,19,24,26,[29][30][31]34,35,37,39 five in Asia, 18,22,32,40,41 eight in Europe, 20,21,23,25,27,28,33,…”

“…Practices: Seven studies provided some evidence about the indicated referral pathways; 18,[20][21][22]25,27,32 according to Carter and Ogden, most GMP indicated the experts in oral medicine and OMFS as pertinent specialists for patients' referral. 20 Similarly, two studies that originated from the UK and Ireland reported that the majority of MP would refer patients with suspicious oral lesions to OMFS specialists.…”

“…21,25 Based on four studies, the ENT specialists were also involved in the indicated referral pattern. 18,25,27,32 In the event of a suspicious oral lesion, the study of Hassona et al cited that 87.6% of MP referred their patients to the pertinent expert, without defining the specialty (Table 3). 22 Intervention studies: Based on the study by Mowat et al, after a six-month period after intervention, no significant dif- ferences were found in the number of patients diagnosed with suspicious lesions of the OC/OCP and referred to a DP (Table 4).…”

Safe implementation of retroauricular robotic and endoscopic neck surgery in South America

“…Upper aerodigestive cancers are more common in men, at the rate of 2-4 cases in men for each case in woman (1)(2)(3). Unfortunately, most of the cases are still diagnosed late, when the disease presents at an advanced stage (4), and therefore requires treatment in highly specialized centers. There is great social and economic impact (5), prolonged withdrawal from work, and a lower quality of life of patients and their families.…”