Assessment and Evaluation on Perception, Knowledge and Awareness of Oral Cancer among General Population in South Chennai

Author: Christeffi Mabel R., Jagannatha G.V., Abinaya Balakrishnan, Vincy Preetha and Lakshmipriya

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Abstract

Cancer is one of the greatest threats to the lives and economic resources in the world. GLOBOCAN (Global Cancer Observatory) 2020 marks India in the 3rd position, with reference to oral cancer and according to World Cancer Research Fund International, lip and oral cavity cancer ranks 16th in list of common cancers. In India with such a high rate of incidence, cognizance of oral cancer is the first strike at prevention of the disease. The objective of the study is to assess and evaluate the perception, knowledge and awareness of oral cancer among general population. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, consisted of 17 self-validated, closed-ended questions directed towards the general population residing in Tamil Nadu state, India. The sample size was derived at (n = 380). In this survey 85.4 %, 64.3%, 66% and 56.8 % of the respondents were aware that smoking, alcohol, betel nut (vetrilaipaaku) and areca nut (paaku) were the risk factors associated with oral cancer respectively. As good as 40.1% of the participants deduced, pain and loosening of teeth as one of the symptoms of oral cancer, followed by presence of a mouth ulcer (37.2%). About half the participants (52%) were not familiar with free dental screening camps and around 37.8% were not aware of habit cessation programmes. This survey revealed high rates of awareness among the literates, young adolescent and adult women. With the advent of smart phones, the Internet has etched in the minds of people a phobia about oral cancer, thereby frequent dental visits has come into practice.

Keywords

Oral cancer, awareness, tobacco, betel quid, alcohol

Conclusion

The word cancer, carries with itself a sense of impending doom, that devours us humans faster than the disease. The advertisements, warnings on cigarette packs and the propaganda to discontinue the use of tobacco, has lead to a 33% reduction in the usage of tobacco related products by the youth in India, according to Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS -2 2016-17). This survey therefore rightly points out to the fact that awareness, perception and knowledge of oral cancer is on the rise and especially among younger literate women and is barely among older/illiterate men and women, who are usually the victims of the dreadful disease.

References

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How to cite this article

Christeffi Mabel R., Jagannatha G.V., Abinaya Balakrishnan, Vincy Preetha and Lakshmipriya (2023). Assessment and Evaluation on Perception, Knowledge and Awareness of Oral Cancer among General Population in South Chennai. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 532-535.