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http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2012.13.4.1217

Promoting Oral Cancer Awareness and Early Detection using a Mass Media Approach  

Saleh, Amyza (Oral Cancer Research Team, Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF), Sime Darby Medical Centre)
Yang, Yi-Hsin (Department of Oral Hygiene, Kaohsiung Medical University)
Ghani, Wan Maria Nabillah Wan Abd (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Abdullah, Norlida (Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health)
Doss, Jennifer Geraldine (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Navonil, Roy (Media Prima Berhad)
Rahman, Zainal Ariff Abdul (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Ismail, Siti Mazlipah (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Talib, Norain Abu (Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health)
Zain, Rosnah Binti (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Cheong, Sok Ching (Oral Cancer Research Team, Cancer Research Initiatives Foundation (CARIF), Sime Darby Medical Centre)
Publication Information
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention / v.13, no.4, 2012 , pp. 1217-1224 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background and Aim: Less than 50% of oral cancer cases are diagnosed at early stages of the disease and this is in part due to poor awareness and lack of knowledge on the signs and symptoms of oral cancer. This study sought to measure the baseline awareness of oral cancer in Malaysia and aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge of oral cancer using a mass media campaign. Methods: Baseline awareness and impact of the campaign was measured using self-administered questionnaires sent via email to individuals. The campaign was aired on two national television channels and the reach was monitored through an independent programme monitoring system. Results: 78.2% of respondents had heard of oral cancer, and this increased significantly after the campaign. However, the ability to recognize signs and symptoms remains unchanged. We found that the level of awareness differed between the distinct ethnic subgroups and the reach of the campaign was not uniform across all ethnicities. Conclusion: This substantial study to measure the oral cancer awareness in Malaysia provides important baseline data for the planning of public health policies. Despite encouraging evidence that a mass media campaign could increase the awareness of oral cancer, further research is required to address the acceptability, comprehensiveness and effectiveness. Furthermore, different campaign approaches may be required for specific ethnic groups in a multi-ethnic country such as Malaysia.
Keywords
Oral cancer; cancer awareness; cancer survey; campaign; mass media; Malaysia;
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