Aim: The purpose of this project was to determine the level of mouth cancer awareness and to investigate the associated factors in a UK general population sample.

Material and Methods: A Dental Health Survey was conducted on 3,353 adult residents in the Grampian region of the UK (adjusted participation rate 58%). Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of questions on oral health, behaviour, quality of life and cancer awareness.

Results: Overall, 81% of participants reported that they were aware of mouth cancer. Mouth cancer awareness was related to younger age (P<0.001), higher levels of education (P<0.001) and better general health (P<0.001). There was no significant association found with gender, deprivation, rurality, oral health or mouthwash use. However, current smokers and participants who consumed alcohol every day were more aware of mouth cancer (P=0.004 and P<0.001 respectively). When asked about risk factors for mouth cancer the following were identified: smoking (84%), poor oral hygiene (60%), drinking alcohol heavily (59%), poor diet (37%), stress (15%), being overweight (6%), drinking hot liquids (5%), eating spicy food (3%), using mouthwash (2%) and kissing someone (1%). Smokers were more likely to indentify smoking as a risk factor for mouth cancer (P=0.016). Similarly, those who consumed alcohol daily were more likely to identify heavy alcohol drinking as a risk factor (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Awareness of mouth cancer is high in respondents from the general population and participants were able to identify the most important risk factors. Knowledge of tobacco and alcohol as risk factors was highest amongst those exposed to them. This study demonstrated that the focus of prevention needs to be on efforts to change health behaviour rather than increasing knowledge.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):B19.

Copyright © American Association for Cancer Research
2011