Gaye KESER, Merve ÖZTÜRK, Filiz NAMDAR PEKİNER

Assessment of Awareness and Knowledge of Oral Cancer Among Tobacco-Using Dental Patients

Objective: The aim of this study is assesment of awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in a group of tobacco users. Methods: The study group consisted of 100 adult patients aged 18 years and over who applied to Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Clinic for routine examination. The patients were asked to complete a 16-point questionnaire evaluating the effects of smoking on oral cancer. Results: The participants in our study identified oral cancer symptoms as swelling / mass formation (60%), wound in mouth (58%), loss of sensation (39%) and pain (38%). There was statistically significant difference between the responses given to “What are the causes of oral cancer?”, “what are the symptoms of oral cancer?” and “What are the diagnostic methods for oral cancer?” between women and men (p<0,05). The rate of responding to the question "What do you think are the causes of oral cancer?" as "alcohol use" in women (63.3%) was significantly higher than men (39.2%) (p: 0.027; p <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between genders regarding “smoking” and “chewing tobacco” as oral cancer factor (p> 0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded that women smoker individiuals have more awareness, knowledge level and positive attitudes about oral cancer compared to men. Increasing level of knowledge of individuals about oral cancer, routine examination of individuals at high risk group and development of national policies with this purpose can make a contribution to improve the level of consciousness.

Keywords:

oral cancer, tobacco smoking, public awareness,

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