Guwahati: 26.8% of respondents who participated in the survey of awareness of oral cavity or oral cancer, carried out by Dr.
B Boroohan Cancer Institute (BBCI) based in the city, has never heard of filtering oral cavity for early detection.
This survey was conducted by the Preventive Oncology Department in BBCI where a total of 250 participants were asked to understand various levels of awareness about oral cancer.
“42 (16.8%) respondents did not know about signs and symptoms of oral cancer.
But it was more surprising that 67 (26.8%) of respondents had never even heard of oral cavity cancer screening for early detection.
It was seen in the survey That 120 (48%) of respondents did not realize that people aged 30-60 years have to get their mouths examined by a dentist or doctor or even trained health care workers every 3 years for the oral cleanliness and prevention of good oral cancer “said BBCI Associate Professor , Srabana Misra Bhagabaty.
Professor added, “it was seen that 12 (4.8%) participants did not know that cancer could occur in the mouth or oral cavity while respondents were twenty six (12.4%) really did not realize that chewing tobacco could cause oral cancer.
From Respondents who are aware, 218 (97.3%) the response notes that tobacco in any form is the risk factor for oral cancer, 172 (76.7%) the response notes that Areca nuts chew, Khaini, Zarda, etc.
Consumption can cause oral cancer , and poor dental hygiene as a risk of oral cancer seen at 120 (53.5%) response.
Similarly, it is surprising that many respondents did not realize that early oral cancer detection could cure it.
It was good to note from the survey that 138 (55.2% ) Respondents are aware of independent examinations, which can detect the change of cancer early in the mouth, said Bhagabaty.
According to the Director of BBCI Chandra Chandra Kataki, the awareness of cancer among the general public is a key element in collective battles against it.
“The idea of ​​con ducting this survey is to understand the level of consciousness among the general public in three general cancers in our population, that is, oral cervical cancer, breast, and uterus.
The results of two other surveys will soon come out.
High proportion of people in The current survey is not aware of regular or timely visits for oral health checks, which means that most of our population has poor oral health, “Kataki added.
The age of participants ranges from 25 years to 59 years.
One hundred twenty four (49.6%) and 126 (50.4%) participants of the survey each were men and women.
Among them, 120 (48%) came from rural areas, 119 (47.6%) came from urban areas, and 11 (4.4%) participants came from semi-urban locations.
In the survey, 98 (39.2%) participants were educated with postgraduate qualifications, 68 (27.2%) were graduates, and 83.6%) participants have graduate qualifications below.