Oral cancer awareness in Spain: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the level of oral cancer knowledge and awareness in a Spanish general population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire applied in the community to randomly selected laypersons. Sample size for the general population was determined by quota sampling, resulting in 1,041 individuals.

RESULTS

A total of 1,707 pedestrians were approached (response: 61%). When the participants were asked about what cancers had they heard about (up to ten), oral cancer was mentioned in first place by 2% of the sample and by 22% in any order. When specifically asked about oral cancer, the percentage of interviewees who were familiar with it raised to 72%. Participants were also asked about the main signs or symptoms of oral cancer, and the most frequently (22%) mentioned as the first warning sign was a non-healing ulcer. Tobacco smoking generally was recognised as the most important (57%) risk factor for oral cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study revealed a low awareness of oral cancer, and a poor knowledge of its signs and symptoms and risk factors.