Identification Of Socio-Demographic And Behavioral Risk Factors Of Oral Cancer In Rural And Urban Areas Of Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted as a cross sectional survey in the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh. A questionnaire was designed and comprised of relevant questions to determine socio-demographic information, awareness and knowledge of oral cancer and risk factors and questions on participant’s exposure to risk factors were also included. Method: Subjects above the age of 30 years (n=114) were randomly selected during the period from 1 June 2016 to October 2017. The questionnaire was distributed to complete while they were waiting for their treatment at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH). Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and statistical package Result: The study revealed that, female adult was more susceptible to oral cancer than male. The mean age of the participants was 48.7 ± 10.8 years ranging from 30 to 85. Among the 114 patients, 85% came from rural areas and 69% of those population found illiterate. From the study we found that, tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco (betel leaf, betel nut, quid chewing, jorda, gull) and alcohol was the major risk factors of oral cancer. Also, sun or radiation exposure and fungal infection was identified as a risk factors of oral cancer. In this study, we also found that local factor such as faulty teeth, sharp teeth, loose teethe and denture are important factor for oral cancer. As a sign and symptom, non-healing mouth ulcer and Lump in neck could be major signs of oral cancer. Among these all cancer patients, 38.6% were affected in buccal mucosa, 25.44% were affected in alveolar region and few of them are in lip (14.04%). The study shows that TNM stage of most patients were T2N1Mx, T2N3Mx that means tumor size 2 to 6 cm and cancer cell present in lymph node and metastasis information could not be assessed. Our study about chemotherapeutic treatment indicate that 5-flurouracil, Paclitaxel, Cisplatin and Carboplatin are most commonly use in Oral Cancer. Conclusion: At current circumstance, all through the world and our nation, number of oral cancer patient increased day by day. Respondents were found having a low level of knowledge scores on the risk factor, sign and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. The present investigation primarily gives a thought that there might be some connection between oral cancer and different risk factors.