Oral cancer awareness and knowledge in the city of valongo, portugal

Awareness and Knowledge of Tobacco Use and Its Relation to Oral Cancer Among Patients Visiting Stomatology Teaching Hospital

Background

Oral cancer (OC) is a major global health issue, with tobacco use being one of the most significant preventable risk factors. Despite its strong association with OC, public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the awareness and knowledge of tobacco use related to oral cancer among patients referred to the Stomatology Teaching Hospital.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Stomatology Teaching Hospital of Kabul University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) between January 1 and July 30, 2023. Using a convenience sampling method, the study included 435 patients aged 15 to 76 years. Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine factors associated with tobacco use, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results

Participants were divided into two groups: tobacco users and non-tobacco users. Most of them were young (18 to 30 years old) with a significant difference in oral cancer knowledge between the two groups (p < 0.001). Cigarettes were the most common tobacco type among users (62.1%), which was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Tobacco users were 3.04 times more likely to have knowledge about oral cancer (OR: 3.04, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.93-4.80), indicating a significant association.

Conclusion

The study reveals a general lack of awareness about oral cancer in our study population, particularly regarding specific risk factors. To improve awareness, it is essential for both public awareness campaigns and dentists to play a more active role in educating the public about oral cancer.

Public Awareness on Oral Cancer: A Population- Based Study in Asturias

OBJECTIVE

Through awareness campaigns, we can change the patient's abilities to detect oral cancer at an early stage and their ability to seek help. To focus these campaigns, we need to know the level of knowledge of the population and its interest in learning about this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the level of oral cancer awareness in Asturias and the interest of the population in learning about this pathology.

METHODS

A representative community-based survey was carried out online using Google Forms®. Responses were transferred to a Microsoft Excel and analysed using the R-program. The relationship between two qualitative variables was studied using Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine which factors are associated with knowledge of oral cancer.

RESULT

We found that those having over 50 years and being health professionals are more likely to know about the existence of oral cancer. Almost 85.1% of participants mentioned tobacco as a risk factor, only 39.8% identified alcohol. The ulcer was the most frequently recognized alarm sign (70.6%). The primary care physician was chosen as the first option for consultation by the 56.5% of the sample. Only 12.4% of the participants reported knowing how to self-examine their mouth. The number of views of a video of how-to self-inspection oral cavity displayed at the end of the questionnaire increased in a 39.38% during our study period.

CONCLUSION

This survey showed a worrying lack of awareness and knowledge about oral cancer among the population of Asturias, especially among those under 50 years old. The interest shown in increasing their knowledge, give us hope in the success of future awareness campaigns.

Oral cancer knowledge in adults evaluated through a phone survey in the context of the SARS-CoV2 health emergency in Colombia

BACKGROUND

in Colombia, oral cancer is the eighth most common type of cancer, with an estimated survival rate of 52%. Lack of knowledge about oral cancer and its risk factors is associated with late detection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 268 patients attending the School of Dentistry of the University of Antioquia clinics, to whom a validated 47-question questionnaire was applied by phone during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021). Data were analyzed using the SPSS software.

RESULTS

the mean age was 58.9. 58.6% of the participants had heard of oral cancer, 42% acquire knowledge from the media, and 96.7% considered screening necessary. Most of the patients expressed not feeling worried (54.5%), fearful (59.7%), or anxious (56.3%) in the case of being submitted to an examination for early detection of oral cancer. A correlation between low socioeconomic status and educational level with less knowledge of oral cancer was found. The dimensions of experience and attitude towards screening were not associated with sociodemographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS

There is little knowledge about oral cancer, especially in low socioeconomic and educational status, although this does not occur in the dimensions of attitude and experience toward screening. In contrast, patients participating in this study presented high knowledge about oral cancer risk. This population recognizes the situations most related to the development of cancer. This level of knowledge was similar for the demographic conditions except for people with no education, who presented less knowledge of the risks. The need for educational campaigns on oral cancer knowledge is reaffirmed, especially in socially disadvantaged groups, considering that there would be no barriers related to screening.

Gap areas in mitigation of oral cancer: A cross-sectional study evaluating awareness and knowledge of risk factors in oral cancer in a tertiary hospital

Purpose and Objectives

One of the main causes of the increasing oral cancer (OC) burden in India is a lack of awareness and a significant gap in knowledge about risk factors and symptomology of OC.

Materials and Methods

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness about OC among 500 random patients presenting for care at a tertiary hospital in western Rajasthan which serves a wide area of western, northern, and central Rajasthan.

Results

A total of 446 participants, among which 83.6% were males enrolled in the study. Much to our despair, the results showed 35.23% of the participants (P = 0.007) started their habit at age <15 years. Nearly 60.3% of the participants were well aware of the harmful temporary or permanent effects of the tobacco. Around 40.85% of the participants taking tobacco products were ignorant about their changes in the tissues (site of tobacco placement). TV and Radio (50.5%) were the main source of information of the ill effects of tobacco and form a major contribution in public awareness. More than 90% of the participants had read the warnings on the tobacco packets. No doubt participants have knowledge about the ill effects of tobacco still there was a lack in behavioral modifications for tobacco cessation, leading to nonsuccess in quitting, with actual nonunderstanding about the ill effects of tobacco and overall lack of belief in the tobacco control measures.

Conclusion

Our findings have found a gap in the awareness efforts of OC for the general population and will make public health professionals, clinicians, policymakers, and government a better judge and motivate them to strengthen existing national tobacco control efforts.

Dental Education for Prevention of Oral Cancer in Turkey: Needs for Changing the Curriculum

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dental students on oral cancer in Istanbul, Turkey. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from Tanriover et al. consisting of 48 questions was distributed to 311 students enrolled in the fourth and fifth grades of a dental faculty in Istanbul, Turkey. Questions were grouped under 5 main headings: socio-demographic features, knowledge on risk factors and diagnostic procedures, history taking regarding to alcohol and smoking status, opinions and behaviors of oral cancer, and distribution of dental students according to diagnostic practice of oral cancer. The frequencies and percentages were calculated with descriptive analysis. The differences in distributions were analyzed using the chi-squared test. The p value was set at 0.05 for statistical significance. The overall response rate was 98% (305/311). The majority of the students identified tobacco and alcohol as risk factors (82% and 75.1%, respectively), while older age and inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables were less likely to be known (60.2% and 52.8%, respectively). Almost one-fifth of the students stated that they have never performed oral cancer examinations during their first or subsequent dental examinations of their patients. Female students thought that dentists were authorized to make oral cancer examinations with a higher frequency compared to males (65.8% and 34.2%, respectively; p = 0.006). On the other hand, female students reported that they did not receive adequate education regarding cessation of smoking with a higher frequency compared with males (69.2% female and 30.8% male respectively; p = 0.0001). As this present study revealed that future dentists had insufficient knowledge in some of the main concepts on oral cancer risk factors, and they lacked the confidence in performing oral examinations in their patients, it is concluded that there is a need for a more structured teaching program with greater emphasis on the early signs and risk factors of OC. Reorganization of the dental curriculum, and courses which further draw attention on the responsibility of the dental practitioner in the detection of oral cancers will be beneficial for the creation of awareness on this significant topic among future dental workforce. Understanding the knowledge and perception of dental students on oral cancers is not only limited to a specific country but it is a worldwide critical issue in which information should be exchanged.

Oral Cancer Awareness and Individuals' Inclination to Its Screening and Risk Prediction in Hong Kong

Assessing the baseline knowledge status and expectations of the target population of any health promotion and secondary prevention program is essential to the success of such intervention. To obtain this information about the Hong Kong population a priori to implementing these preventive strategies for oral cancer in addition to determining the willingness of potential screening participants to take risk-profiling assessments, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2019 and March 2020. A total of 964 residents between the ages 18 and 86 years were invited to participate in this study across the three geographical areas in Hong Kong. Most participants self-reported being aware of oral cancer (86.3%), although the proportion of those with substantial knowledge on salient risk factors and early identifiable signs were very low (2.9%). Age and level of education were the only demographic characteristics associated with the knowledge status. The proportion of participants willing to attend community screening and partake in risk profiling assessment was high (83.9% and 80.9% respectively). Willingness to attend community screening was directly associated with respondents' self-reported oral cancer awareness status (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.22-2.96). Also, we observed that those participants who were willing to attend screening are more inclined to take risk prediction assessments that those not willing to attend. These findings have showcased the need to intensify health promotion via personal skills development to encourage early disease presentation and will assist in the planning of these programs accordingly in the Hong Kong population.

Awareness about oral cancer among nonhealth professional students - A cross-sectional study in Bengaluru city

Background and Aim

Oral cancer is one of the most life-threatening conditions, early diagnosis of which greatly increases the probability of cure and survival rates. Knowledge regarding risk factors and early signs among the nonhealth professionals which help in early detection prevention and of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the awareness about tobacco use among nonhealth professional students in Bangalore city.

Methodology

A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness about oral cancer among 800 nonhealth professional students in Bengaluru city. A self-administered questionnaire containing 26 questions pertaining to awareness, signs, symptoms and risk factors of tobacco use was administered to the students.

Results

The results revealed that the majority of the students (55.5%) were aware about oral cancer but have less knowledge in terms of its signs and symptoms of oral cancer. The main source for information pertaining to oral cancer was obtained from mass media, i.e., TV, radio and social media (21.5%).

Conclusion

The study reveals that there is a need for education and raise awareness about oral cancer among nonhealth professional students.

A Snapshot of Knowledge about Oral Cancer in Italy: A 505 Person Survey

Objectives: Patients' knowledge about oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) plays an important role in primary prevention, early diagnosis, and prognosis and survival rate. The aim of this study was to assess OSCC awareness attitudes among general population in order to provide information for educational interventions. Methods: A survey delivered as a web-based questionnaire was submitted to 505 subjects (aged from 18 to 76 years) in Italy, and the answers collected were statistically analyzed. Information was collected about existence, incidence, features of lesions, risk factors of oral cancer, and self-inspection habits, together with details about professional reference figures and preventive behaviors. Results: Chi-square tests of independence with adjusted standardized residuals highlighted correlations between population features (age, gender, educational attainment, provenance, medical relationship, or previous diagnoses of oral cancer in family) and knowledge about oral cancer. Conclusions: Knowledge about OSCC among the Italian population is limited, and it might be advisable to implement nudging and sensitive customized campaigns in order to promote awareness and therefore improve the prognosis of this disease.

Head and neck cancer awareness: a survey of young people in international communities

INTRODUCTION

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is killing young people yearly. The knowledge of HNC risk factors and its symptoms among this population group may go a long way in HNC prevention among them. This study aims to: determine the level of awareness of HNC; determine the prevalence of HNC risk factors; and explore the knowledge of HNC risk factors, HNC symptoms, as well as family history of HNC among youth in the international communities (with focus on the Canadian and Nigerian youth).

METHODS

A sample of 801 youth were surveyed using an e-questionnaire. The questionnaire obtained information from each participant about their: socio-demographic information; knowledge of HNC, its risk factors, and its manifestations; and family history of HNC. Data obtained from the participants were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS Version 9.4 for Windows).

RESULTS

The majority (73%) of the surveyed youth (n=801) were residing in Nigeria, seven-tenths of them were between the age 18 and 24 years, and 53% were females. Less than 10% had a history of smoking, 7% were active smokers, and 24% had history of oral sex (of which 57% (108/109) of them had a lifetime history of more than one oral sexual partner). Around half (51%) of the participants had never heard of HNC before. Only 4% knew of a family member who had suffered/is suffering from HNC. Half of the participants were not sure whether HNC can manifest without initial complaint, pain, or symptoms. Only 9% of the participants erroneously believed that HNC is a contagious disease. Comparative analyses among subgroups revealed that a higher proportion of those participants who were: from Canada; young adults; and males generally knew about HNC when compared with the proportions recorded among those in the adolescents; females, and Nigerian participants' categories. Lastly, 76% of the participants showed interest in knowing more about HNC.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the surveyed youth demonstrated poor knowledge of HNC. Also, a significant proportion of them are at risk of developing HNC disease in future, if they keep indulging in HNC risky behaviors. There exists the need to conduct community health education programs on HNC among youth in these surveyed communities.

Public knowledge about oral cancer in Uganda: a free dental camp experience

Purpose–

The purpose of this paper is to assess the levels of awareness and knowledge about oral cancer, its causes and or risk factors among Ugandan patients seeking oral healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach–

This was a cross-sectional study on adult patients who attended a free dental camp. An assistant-administered questionnaire either in English or Luganda was provided to every even-numbered registered adult who consented to participate in the study. Information on demographics and known risk factors for oral cancer were captured. The two knowledge questions on oral cancers were scored by adding up all the correctly identified causes, non-causes and risk factors then scored out of the total. Data analysis was done by calculating proportions, Student’s’ t-tests and χ² tests with significant p-value set at 0.05.

Findings–

The results showed a low level of awareness/knowledge about oral cancer in studied population. In total, 60 percent and less than 50 percent of respondents identified smoking and alcohol use as risk factors for oral cancer, respectively. Majority of respondents (88.8 percent) would seek help from medical personnel if diagnosed with oral cancer. Screening for cancer was low despite awareness and knowledge that it improves the chances of successful treatment.

Research limitations/implications–

Emphasis on risk factors including alcohol use in public health messages, use of mass media, religious and community leaders to disseminate messages to the communities and further research were recommended.

Practical implications–

We need to emphasize the role of alcohol in oral cancer causation just as we do for tobacco consumption.

Originality/value–

No study has been conducted in Uganda on the level of awareness yet the incidence of the disease and use of high-risk products are rising.

Oral-cancer knowledge, practice, and attitude assessment of dentists in Upper Egypt: A cross-sectional study

The aims of this study were to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dentists in Upper Egypt with regard to oral cancer (OC). Out of 1,200 licensed dental practitioners list, 424 dentists were randomly selected from three governorates in Upper Egypt (Minia, Assuit, and Sohag). The sample size was calculated using the equation considering the knowledge of dentists about OC, confidence level, and margins of error; then, an additional number of dentists were added to guard against nonresponse. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using 44 items divided into four sections; first part demonstrates sociodemographic. The second part concerned with the knowledge about OC clinical presentation and diagnosis (12 multiple-choice questions) as well as its risk factors (17 close-end questions). The third part consists of six questions focused on the practice of participants, and finally, the last part measures attitude of dentists. The chi-square test was used to compare between the two or more proportions. A correlation was used for describing the relationship or association between two mutually numerical dependent variables. p < 0.05 was considered to indicate significance. Rate of response was 94.3%. The overall knowledge level in the current study was 31.8%. The awareness about OC risk factors was high especially, smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption. Also, over 80% of dentists identified family history and human papillomavirus (HPV) as risk factors. Only 37.5% of participants performed regular screening of oral mucosa, and 26.5% reported lymph-node examination. Regarding attitude, only one quarter of dentists attended continuing educating programs about OC. A statistically significant relation (p < 0.0001) between knowledge level and most demographic variables was detected. There was a fair positive correlation (r = 0.47) between practice and knowledge scores. A predominant trouble among dentists in Upper Egypt was regarding OC knowledge and practice. Continues education and training programs are highly recommended.

Public Knowledge of Oral Cancer and Modelling of Demographic Background Factors Affecting this Knowledge in Khartoum State, Sudan

OBJECTIVES

Knowledge of oral cancer affects early detection and diagnosis of this disease. This study aimed to assess the current level of public knowledge of oral cancer in Khartoum State, Sudan, and examine how demographic background factors affect this knowledge.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 501 participants recruited by systematic random sampling from the outpatient records of three major hospitals in Khartoum State between November 2012 and February 2013. A pretested structured questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge levels. A logistic regression model was utilised with demographic background variables as independent variables and knowledge of oral cancer as the dependent variable. A path analysis was conducted to build a structural model.

RESULTS

Of the 501 participants, 42.5% had no knowledge of oral cancer, while 5.4%, 39.9% and 12.2% had low, moderate and high knowledge levels, respectively. Logistic regression modelling showed that age, place of residence and education levels were significantly associated with knowledge levels (P = 0.009, 0.017 and <0.001, respectively). According to the structural model, age and place of residence had a prominent direct effect on knowledge, while age and residence also had a prominent indirect effect mediated through education levels.

CONCLUSION

Education levels had the most prominent positive effect on knowledge of oral cancer among outpatients at major hospitals in Khartoum State. Moreover, education levels were found to mediate the effect of other background variables.

Mouth cancer awareness and beliefs among dental patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of awareness, knowledge about signs and risk factors of mouth (oral) cancer, and attitudes towards early diagnosis and treatment among dental outpatients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 1,200 adult outpatients attending dental clinics at the University of Jordan Hospital for dental examination and treatment were randomly selected to participate in the study. An 18-item pretested close-ended questionnaire was used for the study. Descriptive statistics were generated and chi-square tests, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Spearman's rho test were used to examine differences between groups.

RESULTS

Only 45.6% of the subjects had heard about oral cancer. Some 66.9% and 33.8%, respectively, were able to correctly identify tobacco and alcohol as risk factors. Some 24.1% had no knowledge about any signs of oral cancer. Male subjects, smokers, alcohol drinkers, older participants (>40 years), and participants with less than a university education were significantly less aware, and had much less knowledge, of the signs and risk factors of oral cancer (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Awareness about oral cancer among Jordanian dental outpatients is low. These dental patients, especially those in high-risk groups for mouth cancer and those of lower socio-economic status (SES), are less well informed about the signs and risk factors of oral cancer. Interventions to improve public knowledge about oral cancer and attitudes towards early diagnosis and treatment are urgently indicated.

Assessing oral cancer knowledge in Romanian undergraduate dental students

The aim of this study is to investigate the level of Romanian dental students' knowledge regarding the oral cancer risk and non-risk factors as well as oral cancer signs, symptoms, and diagnostic signs. A total of 192 first- to sixth-year undergraduate dental students (mean age 22.20 ± 2.94 years) who consented to participate in the study filled in a questionnaire enquiring about their knowledge of oral cancer. A score of the oral cancer knowledge was calculated for each participant based on their correct answers. Regarding the knowledge of oral cancer risk factors, the vast majority of the students correctly recognized tobacco (96.8 %), having a prior oral cancer lesion (85.1 %), the consumption of alcohol (77.7 %), and older age (64.2 %). Respectively, 87.7 and 54.3 % knew the tongue and the floor of mouth to be the most common oral cancer sites. Of the students, 71.3 % agreed that oral cancer examinations for those 20 years of age and older should be provided during regular periodic health examinations, 92.9 % considered that patients with suspicious oral lesions should be referred to specialists, and 84.6 % agreed that oral cancer examinations should be a routine part of a comprehensive oral examination. A significant association was found between the year of study in the dental school, age, and knowledge of the oral cancer knowledge scores. Although students' knowledge increased with academic year, there is a clear need to enhance the dental curricula in oral cancer clinical training in oral cancer prevention and examination for dental students.

A clinical-pathological and survival study of oral squamous cell carcinomas from a population of the North of Portugal

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to analyze the clinical, pathological, and outcome characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) from a population of the North of Portugal.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a descriptive study of 128 OSCC diagnosed between the years of 2000 and 2010 in the Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Through of the review of the clinical records we studied several clinical, pathological, and outcome variables. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of 128 patients with OSCC, 83 (64.8%) were male and 45 (35.2%) were female, (mean age of 62.13±15.57 years). The most affected location was the tongue (n=52; 40.6%). The most common cause of reference was a non-healing ulcer (n=35; 28.9%) followed by oral pain (n=27; 22.3%). Sixty (60.6%) patients were tobacco consumers and 55 (57.3%) alcohol consumers. The cumulative 3-years OS rate was 58.6% and DFS was 55.4%. In multivariable analysis for OS, we found an adverse independent prognostic value for advanced tumour size (p<0.001) and for the presence of perineural permeation (p=0.012). For DFS, advanced stage tumours presented adverse independent prognostic value (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

OSCC occurred most frequently in males, in older patients, and in patients with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. TNM and tumour stage additionally to the perineural permeation were the most important prognostic factor for the survival of these patients, contributing to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy.

Dental students' knowledge of characteristics and management of oral complications of cancer therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the level of Turkish senior dental students' knowledge regarding the orodental complications and their treatment methods of cancer patients.

STUDY DESIGN

A 15-item questionnaire which was obtained from National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research that contained information about the orodental complications of the cancer therapy and the dentists' role to provide their treatment protocols was used. Seventy-seven senior dental students answered the questionnaire and the replies were analyzed with stratified and logistic data analyses.

RESULTS

Overall, correct replies ranged from 5.2 to 98.7 %. The students knew the basic knowledge of the complications of cancer therapy; however, they failed to answer to the questions (ranging between 1.3 and 94.8 %) about the required clinical practices. The respondents preferred not to answer the questions about the prophylactic measures dentist shall take during a precancer treatment oral evaluation (9.1 %), management of pain in cancer treatment (6.5 %), and necessary considerations before a dental procedure in a chemotherapy patient (3.9 %). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that gender had no statistically significant effect on the correct or false answers to the questions (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results disclosed that dental students' knowledge about oral complications of cancer therapy and the modalities to manage these complications vary. Reevaluation of current undergraduate curricula and continuing education for graduates might address the gaps identified and an educational program about oral and dental management of patients who are to receive/receiving/have received cancer therapy can be prepared and augmented into dental curriculum.