An alarming lack of public awareness towards oral cancer

Objective To determine public awareness and knowledge of oral cancer in Gre at Britain. Design The respondents were selected according to a systematic probability sample designed to be representative of all adults in Great Britain (GB). T he overall design was similar to previous omnibus surveys carried out by Na tional Opinion Poll (NOP). The survey was carried out in ten regions of GB in September 1995 and was commissioned by the Health Education Authority (H EA). Subjects and methods A random sample of 1,894 members of the public over th e age of 16 years were asked in face-to-face interviews their knowledge rel ating to cancer, with particular reference to oral cancer, its causes and t hose at high risk and general attitudes to cancer. Results Oral cancer was one of the least heard of cancers by the public wit h only 56% of the participants being aware, whereas 96% had heard of skin c ancer, 97% lung cancer and 86% cervical cancer. There was a 76% awareness o f the link between smoking and oral cancer but only 19% were aware of its a ssociation with alcohol misuse. Whereas 94% agreed that early detection can improve the treatment outcome, a disheartening 43% believed that whether a person developed a cancer or not was a matter of chance and therefore was unavoidable. Conclusions This survey highlights a general lack of awareness among the pu blic about mouth cancer and a lack of knowledge about its causation especia lly the excess risk associated with alcohol. Recommendations There is a clear need to inform and educate the public in m atters relating to the known risk factors associated with oral cancer. A me dia campaign informing the public about oral cancer is clearly required. Th e need for the reduction in the incidence of oral cancer should be included in 'Our healthier nation' targets. An overall health promotion strategy to reduce cancers should include oral cancer as a priority. In addition the E uropean Code against Cancer which aims to improve prevention, the early det ection of oral cancer and the necessity for fast track referral should be m ade more widely known. Recognition of oral cancer in local strategies for o ral health should be encouraged.