Screening projects for oral carcinoma in relation to health education and patients' compliance: Study on 600 participants

Abstract

Aims and Objectives:The lack of information among the population regarding the existence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the lack of attention and expertise in examining the oral cavity of dentists and clinicians still remain very worrying and could explain the high incidence of OSCC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of awareness of OSCC among 600 participants from Southern Italy.Materials and Methods:A 13-question survey was prepared and distributed to 600 participants divided into two subgroups, the first one of 300 patients referring to the Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, for the treatment of dental pathologies, and the second one of 300 patients referring to the Department of Internal Medicine of the Second University of Naples for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Statistical analysis consisted in the calculation of percentages related to the answers given by patients. Comparison of percentages was after performed between the two subgroups.Result:Only 175 participants (29.1%) knew about the existence of pathologies which can affect the oral mucosa, and only 46 (7.6%) were aware that carcinoma can arise in the oral cavity; 345 (57,5%) stated that they had periodical dental visits, at least once a year but none of them stated they had a visit for the identification of oral carcinomas.Conclusion:The data acquired must be taken into consideration to outline essential socio-healthcare educational projects on carcinoma and its risk factors, training programs to increase dentists and clinicians’ competences, and to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of oral carcinoma screening programs.

Knowledge and awareness of oral cancer: A cross-sectional survey in Trieste, Italy

“…On this point, our data differ from the results reported in a similar study performed on 600 subjects in the Naples region. Less than 30% of participants knew about the existence of oral cancer (consistently with our results), but among them 54.3% received specific information from their dentist ( 38 ). Almost all subjects included in our study recognize the need for additional information and encourage the dissemination especially through school in primis , followed by internet, social media and television.…”

Current Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Health Care Providers in OSCC Awareness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Patients’ responsibility in diagnosis delay is only one side of the problem. It is also necessary to analyze the HCPs’ commitment to the OSCC prevention and diagnosis [ 90 ].…”

Diagnostic delay of oral squamous cell carcinoma and the fear of diagnosis: A scoping review

“…Of the known factors related to diagnostic delay, the literature suggests that one of the main causes of delay attributed to the patient is a lack of knowledge regarding OSCC and related risk factors ( Warnakulasuriya et al, 1999 ; Al-Kaabi et al, 2016 ). In addition, the absence of the pathognomonic signs or symptoms of OSCC often leads patients to incorrectly attribute these signs or symptoms to infections or dental problems ( Rogers et al, 2011 ; van der Waal et al, 2011 ; Leuci et al, 2017 ). As regards the factors contributing to professional delay, a decisive role can be played by the lack of information, awareness and training of healthcare professionals ( Silverman et al, 2010 ; Kebabcıoğlu and Pekiner, 2018 ; Grafton-Clarke et al, 2019 ).…”