Abstract
Aim: To compare differences in knowledge about oral cancer primary prevention between patients with oral precancerous diseases and healthy controls.
Methods: All patients were asked to participate in the study and fill 20-item pretested questionnaire during Oral Cancer Week events in Lithuania. Questionnaire included items about background characteristics, addictions (smoking, alcohol intake) and knowledge about risk factors. The study was approved by Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (2R- 2149). Data were analysed using SPSS v21.0, statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: 803 people participated in Oral Cancer Week events in Lithuania and 83 patients were diagnosed with oral precancerous diseases. Of these 76 completed the questionnaire, a response rate 91.2%. The controls (n=78) were randomly selected from the healthy patient group by age and gender. Overall 154 were included into study. Among respondents, average age was 54.4±16.9. Male to female ratio 1: 3.3. Almost half of patients had a university level education (n=69, 44.8%) and were workers (n=74, 48.1%). In relation to risk factors, 70 (92.1%) patients with precancerous diseases were aware that smoking causes oral cancer and 6 (7.9%) were smokers, in the control group 69 (87.3%) were aware of smoking risks and 10 (12.7%) were smokers (p>0.05). The mean knowledge score (maximum score 11) was 5.3±2.9 among patients and 6.9±2.3 in controls (p<0.05). Questionnaire responses showed 39 (51.3%) patients with precancerous disease were aware oral cancer could be treated and 26 (34.2%) indicated oral cancer could be contagious. In controls 28 (35.9%) were aware oral cancer could be treated and 50 (64.1%) indicated oral cancer could be contagious (p<0.05). A total of 31 (40.8%) patients considered oral cancer could be prevented while in the control group only 12 (15.4%) supported this opinion (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The present study showed that a lack of knowledge is common between patients with oral precancerous diseases and healthy individuals. We suggest an increase of oral cancer primary prevention awareness is necessary to reduce the prevalence of oral precancerous diseases and oral malignancies.
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