IADR Abstract Archives
Perception and Beliefs About Oral Cancer Among Irish Adults
Objectives: In Ireland, approximately 200 oral cancer cases are diagnosed annually. Early diagnosis of oral cancer, before the disease becomes advanced, is known to improve patient outcomes. Approximately one third of patients with signs of oral cancer wait >3 months before consulting a healthcare professional. Lack of awareness of signs & symptoms has been reported as the most common reason for delay in seeking help. This study aimed to assess awareness of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and its risk factors in an Irish cohort.
Methods: A cross sectional survey collecting data on socio-demographics factors, knowledge of oral cancer and health-related behaviours was used. Patients over the age of 18 with no previous history of cancer attending the Dublin Dental University Hospital for dental treatment were invited to participate.
Results: In total,124 responses were received. 83% of participants reported only seeing their GDP occasionally or when in pain. There was no statistical difference between education level (p=0.23), age (p=0.3) or gender (p=0.34) and regularity of dental visits. Half of those surveyed would seek advice with regards to a persistent ulcer (50%), swelling (50%) or pain (56%) but only one third would see their GDP in relation to white & red patches. While 71% had heard about oral cancer, 83% of participants knew little about risk factors. Only 63% identified smoking, 50% age, 45% alcohol consumption and 19% gender, as risk factors. 98% of participants wanted their GDP to help them reduce their oral cancer risk, although half of them did not know their GDP was trained in early oral cancer screening.
Conclusions: Our study indicates a lack of knowledge of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of oral cancer amongst Irish adults. The information from the study will be useful in developing oral cancer awareness programmes, which will improve patient outcomes.
Methods: A cross sectional survey collecting data on socio-demographics factors, knowledge of oral cancer and health-related behaviours was used. Patients over the age of 18 with no previous history of cancer attending the Dublin Dental University Hospital for dental treatment were invited to participate.
Results: In total,124 responses were received. 83% of participants reported only seeing their GDP occasionally or when in pain. There was no statistical difference between education level (p=0.23), age (p=0.3) or gender (p=0.34) and regularity of dental visits. Half of those surveyed would seek advice with regards to a persistent ulcer (50%), swelling (50%) or pain (56%) but only one third would see their GDP in relation to white & red patches. While 71% had heard about oral cancer, 83% of participants knew little about risk factors. Only 63% identified smoking, 50% age, 45% alcohol consumption and 19% gender, as risk factors. 98% of participants wanted their GDP to help them reduce their oral cancer risk, although half of them did not know their GDP was trained in early oral cancer screening.
Conclusions: Our study indicates a lack of knowledge of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of oral cancer amongst Irish adults. The information from the study will be useful in developing oral cancer awareness programmes, which will improve patient outcomes.