An Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

Abstract

In the developing countries oropharyngeal cancer is a great concern for the people living there. Oral cancer is very alarming disease that affects many people each year all over the world. It is the eleventh most dominate cancer in the world. In Bangladesh more than 7000 people are newly diagnosed each year and among them 6.6% people are died due to their life style and other factors. The aim of the study was to identify the understanding of oropharyngeal cancer among Bangladeshi people the prevalence of oropharyngeal cancer and the relationship between the life style risk factors and oropharyngeal cancer. A total of 300 respondents of different spheres of life participated in the study. They responded to structured questionnaires which was setup by following STEPS guideline. Regarding 38% were non-smoker, 58% were current smoker and 4% were former smoker. 100% of the current smokers take more than 10 packs of cigarette in a year. 81% of people never intake any type of alcohol where 16% intake light alcohol and rest of 3% intake heavy alcohol. 71% of people used mouth wash once daily and % were using twice daily but only 5% people knew that mouthwash contains high alcohol. 4 % people knew about oropharyngeal cancer and 82 % of them thought that oropharyngeal cancer developed in back of throat and all of them thought that Smoking is responsible for developing it. 74% of people preferred Chemotherapy as the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer and 99% thought that HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine helped to keep free from oropharyngeal cancer. 41% thought that stopping the use of tobacco Products will be the preventative way to get free from oropharyngeal cancer. According to the questionnaire whether they were introduced with their oral health majority portion of the respondents answered in a positive manner. But result showed that they are careless about their oral health and rarely consults a GP or dentist. At this point, promoting oral health awareness programs and increasing social awareness and taking preventing measures related to the risk factors Oral and Oropharyngeal cancer things might provide a good solution.