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http://dx.doi.org/10.7314/APJCP.2013.14.3.1957

Oral Cancer Awareness and its Determinants among a Selected Malaysian Population  

Ghani, Wan Maria Nabillah (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Doss, Jennifer Geraldine (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Jamaluddin, Marhazlinda (Dental Research & Training Unit, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Kamaruzaman, Dinan (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Zain, Rosnah Binti (Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya)
Publication Information
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention / v.14, no.3, 2013 , pp. 1957-1963 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objective: To assess oral cancer awareness, its associated factors and related sources of information among a selected group of Malaysians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on all Malaysian ethnic groups aged ${\geq}15$ years old at eight strategically chosen shopping malls within a two week time period. Data were analysed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. Significance level was set at ${\alpha}$ <0.05. Results: Most (84.2%) respondents had heard of oral cancer. Smoking was the most (92.4%) recognized high risk habit. Similar levels of awareness were seen for unhealed ulcers (57.3%) and red/white patches (58.0%) as signs of oral cancer. Age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, occupation and income were significantly associated with oral cancer awareness (p<0.05). Conclusions: There was a general lack of awareness regarding the risk habits, early signs and symptoms, and the benefits of detecting this disease at an early stage. Mass media and health campaigns were the main sources of information about oral cancer. In our Malaysian population, gender and age were significantly associated with the awareness of early signs and symptoms and prevention of oral cancer, respectively.
Keywords
Mouth neoplasms; awareness; risk habits; signs and symptoms; mouth self-examination;
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