Evaluation Of Awareness and Early Screening Practices for Oral Cancer Among High-Risk Population

Abstract

Oral cancer is a major public health problem in India because its leading risk factors are common, its early lesions are visible to trained health workers, and many cases continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages. India recorded 143,759 new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer and 79,979 deaths in 2022, making it the second most frequent cancer site in the country according to GLOBOCAN estimates.1,2,3 High risk groups such as users of smoked or smokeless tobacco, areca nut, betel quid and alcohol require focused awareness and periodic visual oral examination under primary health care and community screening platforms. Among 200 participants, 71.0% were males and 75.0% were current tobacco users. Good awareness was observed among 27.0% participants, moderate awareness among 45.0%, and poor awareness among 28.0%. Only 30.0% had ever undergone oral cancer screening or oral visual examination. Screening practice was significantly better among participants with good awareness and among those who previously had a dental or oral examination. The leading barriers were absence of symptoms, lack of knowledge about where to go, low perceived risk, cost/time constraints, fear and stigma.