Oral cancer awareness and education within the pharmacy profession

Abstract

The incidence of oral cancers are rising in the UK, with early detection a significant positive prognostic factor. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted patients access to dental services, reducing a potential avenue to diagnosis. Community pharmacists are well positioned to play an expanded role in supporting earlier detection. This study seeks to identify levels of awareness and knowledge of oral cancer amongst community pharmacists, to inform development of educational resources. A cross-sectional digital survey was distributed via social media between August and September 2021. Data were collected on participant's demographics, oral cancer awareness and educational resources relevant to oral cancer. The results obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS software. 61 pharmacists completed the survey. The majority were female (n = 40; 65.6%) aged 18–30 (n = 33; 54.1%). Less than half of respondents reported feeling confident in recognising risk factors (37.7%; n = 23). A substantial minority (n = 8; 13.1%) incorrectly selected fluoride toothpaste use as a risk factor for oral cancer. Most respondents correctly suggested signposting patients with signs or symptoms of oral cancer to a General Medical or General Dental Practitioner (GDP) (n = 35; 57.3%, n = 46; 75.4%). 91.8% of respondents (n = 56) would welcome an educational resource to support professional development. This study demonstrates a need for further educational resources regarding oral cancer, specifically aimed at community pharmacists. Community Pharmacists have a crucial role in efforts to improve rates of early detection of oral cancers. Work should be completed to explore the establishment of direct referral pathways from community pharmacy to secondary care.

Strategies adopted by oral physicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral pathologists in patient education on oral cancer: A Nigerian study

“…13 Patient education on oral cancer risk factors, oral cancer screening, oral cancer self-examination, and HPV vaccination are laudable strategies for oral cancer prevention and control. 14,15 These educational interventions can promote awareness and knowledge on oral cancer, and may bring about an expansion in the population who presents to primary care with precancerous or early form of the disease; hence reducing the rate of advance-stage clinical presentation of the disease. 16 Dentists in Nigeria-particularly those who are specialists in oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oral pathology-have a very crucial responsibility in the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer, and sometimes may be the first clinician to diagnose such cases during routine examination.…”

“…Patient education on oral cancer risk factors, oral cancer screening, oral cancer self‐examination, and HPV vaccination are laudable strategies for oral cancer prevention and control. 14 , 15 These educational interventions can promote awareness and knowledge on oral cancer, and may bring about an expansion in the population who presents to primary care with precancerous or early form of the disease; hence reducing the rate of advance‐stage clinical presentation of the disease. 16 …”

Confidence in Oral Cancer Awareness among Undergraduate Health Profession University Students at Al-Quds University

“…This study demonstrates a need for profession development aimed at community pharmacists who can aid in improving rates of early detection of oral cancers. 12 In Palestine, a recent study was conducted by Shadid et al at the Arab American University of Jenin which evaluated the level of oral cancer knowledge of undergraduate students in their 4 th and 5 th year at dental school as well as intern dentists. The authors reported that the majority of respondents had poor knowledge about clinical features, risk factors, and early detection of oral cancers.…”