1
|
Rupel K, Biasotto M, Gobbo M, Poropat A, Bogdan Preda MT, Borruso G, Torelli L, Di Lenarda R, Ottaviani G. Knowledge and awareness of oral cancer: A cross-sectional survey in Trieste, Italy. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2023; 4:1056900. [PMID: 36794079 PMCID: PMC9922703 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2023.1056900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to verify the knowledge on oral cancer and to assess possible differences in awareness and information basing on different demographic and subject-related factors. An anonymous survey was provided to 750 random subjects using online-based questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed in order to evaluate the influence of demographic variables (gender, age, education) on knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors. 68.4% of individuals knew about the existence of oral cancer, mostly from media and family/friends. Awareness was significantly influenced by gender and higher education, but not by age. Most participants recognized smoking as a risk factor, but alcohol abuse and sunlight exposure are less known, especially among less educated subjects. On the contrary, our study shows a diffusion of false information: more than 30% of the participants indicated the possible role of amalgam fillings in oral cancer onset, independently of gender, age or education. The results of our study suggest the need for oral cancer awareness campaigns, where school and healthcare professionals should be actively involved in promoting, organizing and finding methods to monitor the medium and long-term efficacy with proper methodological quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katia Rupel
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Biasotto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Margherita Gobbo
- Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ca’ Foncello Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Augusto Poropat
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Borruso
- Department of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lucio Torelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Lenarda
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Ottaviani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy,Correspondence: Ottaviani Giulia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Saab MM, Kilty C, Noonan B, FitzGerald S, Collins A, Lyng Á, Kennedy U, Hegarty J. Public Health Messaging and Strategies to Promote "SWIFT" Lung Cancer Detection: a Qualitative Study Among High-Risk Individuals. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2022; 37:1026-1035. [PMID: 33131021 PMCID: PMC9399198 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01916-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality globally. A positive association between LC incidence and socioeconomic deprivation exists. High-risk individuals are less likely to be aware of LC and to correctly appraise LC symptoms and seek medical help accordingly. This qualitative study explored strategies to promote early detection of LC among at-risk individuals living in high-incidence areas in Ireland. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 46 individuals. Data were collected face-to-face in community centres and organisations in high-incidence areas in two Irish counties and analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Participants believed that there was insufficient information regarding LC and recommended promoting LC awareness at a young rather than old age. They favoured public health messages that are Simple, clear, and honest; Worded positively; Incorporating a shock element; Featuring a celebrity, healthcare professional, or survivor; and Targeted (SWIFT). Most participants reported becoming immune to messages on cigarette packaging and recommended using a combination of broadcast and print media within national government-run campaigns to promote LC awareness and early detection. Study findings suggest that promoting LC awareness, help-seeking, early presentation, and diagnosis can be achieved by developing and testing targeted interventions. Promoting LC awareness requires a multi-sectoral policy network, or a whole systems approach. Such approaches ought to consider the multifactorial drivers of LC risk behaviours; involve coordinated, collective actions across various stakeholders; operate across multiple agencies; and take a life course perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad M Saab
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, College Road, T12 AK54, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Caroline Kilty
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, College Road, T12 AK54, Cork, Ireland
| | - Brendan Noonan
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, College Road, T12 AK54, Cork, Ireland
| | - Serena FitzGerald
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, College Road, T12 AK54, Cork, Ireland
| | - Abigail Collins
- National Cancer Control Programme, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Áine Lyng
- National Cancer Control Programme, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Una Kennedy
- National Cancer Control Programme, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Josephine Hegarty
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, College Road, T12 AK54, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rupel K, Ottaviani G, Gobbo M, Poropat A, Zoi V, Zacchigna S, Di Lenarda R, Biasotto M. Campaign to Increase Awareness of Oral Cancer Risk Factors Among Preadolescents. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2020; 35:616-620. [PMID: 30835060 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-01504-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents one of the most common but scarcely known malignancies worldwide. The etiology of OSCC is strongly related to lifestyle habits and behavior, especially tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse. The mean age of individuals who start smoking and drinking alcohol is decreasing; thus, the aim of our campaign was to test the awareness and increase knowledge of oral cancer and its risk factors among young preadolescents. Six schools with 460 students aged 12-14 years were included in the campaign. A lecture about carcinogenesis and oral cancer was provided. Anonymous questionnaires were submitted to the students before and after the lecture, to test their knowledge, awareness, and understanding. Before the lecture, the students showed very little awareness of oral cancer (26.8%), although almost all of them identified tobacco smoking as a risk factor (92.2%). After the lecture, the students showed a significant understanding of the provided information, thus increasing their awareness. On scales of 1-10, the students rated the appropriateness of the campaign at 8.9 and their overall appreciation at 8.7. Social campaigns, especially among young students, seem to be appreciated and may represent a powerful strategy for increasing knowledge about cancer risk factors, especially when they are highly related to lifestyle habits and behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katia Rupel
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Giulia Ottaviani
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| | - Margherita Gobbo
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| | - Augusto Poropat
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valentina Zoi
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Di Lenarda
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| | - Matteo Biasotto
- Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, Trieste, Italy
| |
Collapse
|