Oral Cancer Awareness and its Determinants among a Selected Malaysian Population

Abstract

Objective: To assess oral cancer awareness, its associated factors and related sources of information among a selected group of Malaysians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on all Malaysian ethnic groups aged ≥15 years old at eight strategically chosen shopping malls within a two week time period. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Significance level was set at α <0.05. Results: Most (84.2%) respondents had heard of oral cancer. Smoking was the most (92.4%) recognized high risk habit. Similar levels of awareness were seen for unhealed ulcers (57.3%) and red/white patches (58.0%) as signs of oral cancer. Age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, occupation and income were significantly associated with oral cancer awareness (p<0.05). Conclusions: There was a general lack of awareness regarding the risk habits, early signs and symptoms, and the benefits of detecting this disease at an early stage. Mass media and health campaigns were the main sources of information about oral cancer. In our Malaysian population, gender and age were significantly associated with the awareness of early signs and symptoms and prevention of oral cancer, respectively.

Public Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer in Yemen

“…These results support previous findings, which report that mass media is a common source of information regarding oral cancer (Peker and Al-Kurt 2010;Park et al, 2011;Ghani et al, 2013;Tadbir et al, 2013). A recent Malaysian study has assessed the impact of promoting oral cancer awareness of the public using a mass media campaign; the results showed a significant increase in the public awareness regarding general knowledge and etiology factors of the disease (Saleh et al, 2012).…”

“…Our study population also showed an inadequate knowledge regarding risk factors. Although more than two thirds of the participants identified tobacco use (smoking and smokeless tobacco use) as the main risk factors, similar to earlier studies conducted in Australia, England, India, Iran, Malaysia and the USA (Horowitz et al, 1995;Warnakulasuriya et al, 1999;Tadbir et al, 2013;Park et al, 2011;Agrawal et al, 2012;Ghani et al, 2013), only small proportion of participants were aware that old age, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure in the case of lip cancer are also potential risk factors. The greater awareness of tobacco as a risk factor could be attributed to anti-tobacco media campaigns explaining the adverse effects of smoking.…”

“…This underscores the need for an extensive awareness campaigns on the issues related to oral cancer. It has been reported that public awareness of oral cancer is low (Park et al, 2011;Agrawal et al, 2012;Ghani et al, 2013;Tadbir et al, 2013;Quadri et al, 2014); and several studies have shown that oral cancer awareness is lesser when compared with other types of cancer (Pakfetrat et al, 2010;Park et al, 2011;Rogers et al, 2011). Moreover, it has been reported that the majority of certain populations failed to recognize the early signs and symptoms of oral cancer (Ghani et al, 2013;Tadbir et al, 2013;Quadri et al, 2014).…”

“…A structured questionnaire was developed from previously validated items (Elango et al, 2009;Park et al, 2011;Agrawal et al, 2012;Ghani et al, 2013;Tadbir et al, 2013 ) with modifications to suit the local population, especially in the area of risk factors associated with the disease. Before submitting the questionnaire, a pilot study was performed on a random sample of the population (n=35), and the questionnaire was modified according the feedback obtained.…”

Effectiveness of an Intervention Program on Knowledge of Oral Cancer among the Youth of Jazan, Saudi Arabia

“…Some factors are modifiable and the detrimental repercussions of this dreadful disease can be prevented if the population is made aware of the causative risk factors, various available prevention strategies and existing early detection modalities through community programs (Ghani et al, 2013). Like in most of the developing parts of the world, Saudi Arabia also faces scarcity in organized cancer intervention or early detection screening programs.…”