Public awareness about prevention and early detection of oral cancer: a population-based study in Northern Germany

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the knowledge about oral cancer in a representative population sample of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Material and methods: A representative survey (n=1000) was carried out by means of computer-aided phone interviews among the population of Schleswig-Holstein. Descriptive statistics of demographic variables and responses to the questionnaires were reported by means of counts and percentages. Knowledge about diagnostic items and risk factors was further analysed for socioeconomic factors.

Results: 66% of the sample was aware that oral cancer lesions are most often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Only 20-40% knew the two most common sites. More than 70% identified tobacco consumption and a prior oral cancer lesion as risk factors, consumption of alcohol and older age were identified by about 50%. The detailed analysis showed a relationship between a low level of knowledge and certain socioeconomic factors, e.g. older age, low level of education and employment.

Conclusions: This survey highlighted a general lack of public awareness about signs and symptoms of oral cancer and its risk factors. A low level of knowledge was associated with a low level of certain socioeconomic factors. These results should have implications for the design of a state-wide public awareness campaign.