The Importance of Increasing Awareness and Knowledge

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 5 views

Introduction

Oral cavity cancer is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide, ranking seventeenth in terms of the number of cases. Unfortunately, this number continues to increase every year, mainly due to late detection. One of the main factors that contribute to this delay is the low knowledge and awareness of the public about oral cavity cancer. This study aims to explore the relationship between the level of public knowledge and their awareness of oral cancer in Medan Johor District.

Background

Oral cavity cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth area, including lips, gums, mouth bases, and ceiling. It is a serious condition that requires immediate attention and treatment. However, the low level of knowledge and awareness of the public about oral cavity cancer contributes to the delay in detection and treatment. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness of oral cancer in Medan Johor District.

Methodology

This study used an analytical survey approach and cross-sectional design. The research was conducted in Medan Johor District, involving 96 respondents through online questionnaires. Respondents were chosen based on certain criteria through purposive sampling techniques. Data analysis was carried out by collecting univariate and bivariate data, which was then tested by the Chi-Square statistical test.

Results

The results showed a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness about oral cancer, with the value of P = 0.006. This shows that the higher the level of public knowledge about oral cavity cancer, the higher their awareness of the risk and symptoms of this disease.

Discussion

The significant relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness of oral cavity cancer shows that health education has a very important role in the prevention of cancer. Therefore, health workers are expected to be more active in providing counseling and information related to oral cancer. Increased knowledge and public awareness is expected to reduce the incidence of oral cancer and improve the quality of life of the people in Medan Johor District.

The Importance of Increasing Awareness and Knowledge

Increasing the incidence of oral cancer requires serious attention from various parties, especially health workers. Effective and structured counseling is very important to increase public knowledge and awareness. This effort can be done through seminars, workshops, and health campaigns involving the community. In addition, the mass media and digital platforms can also be used to disseminate information about oral cavity cancer. Good education can help people recognize the early signs of oral cancer and encourage them to carry out regular health checks.

Conclusion

The significant relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness of the cancer of the oral cavity shows that health education has a very important role in the prevention of cancer. Therefore, health workers are expected to be more active in providing counseling and information related to oral cancer. Increased knowledge and public awareness is expected to reduce the incidence of oral cancer and improve the quality of life of the people in Medan Johor District.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Health workers should be more active in providing counseling and information related to oral cancer.
Effective and structured counseling should be provided to increase public knowledge and awareness.
Seminars, workshops, and health campaigns involving the community should be conducted to increase awareness and knowledge.
The mass media and digital platforms should be used to disseminate information about oral cavity cancer.
Good education should be provided to help people recognize the early signs of oral cancer and encourage them to carry out regular health checks.

Limitations

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the sample size was relatively small, which may not be representative of the entire population. Secondly, the study only focused on Medan Johor District, which may not be generalizable to other areas. Finally, the study only investigated the relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness of oral cancer, and did not explore other factors that may contribute to the incidence of oral cancer.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to investigate the relationship between the level of knowledge and public awareness of oral cancer in other areas. Additionally, future research should explore other factors that may contribute to the incidence of oral cancer, such as lifestyle factors and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, future research should aim to develop effective and structured counseling programs to increase public knowledge and awareness of oral cancer.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

[Appendix materials, such as additional tables and figures, that support the findings of the study]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oral Cavity Cancer ===========================================================

Q: What is oral cavity cancer?

A: Oral cavity cancer is a type of cancer that affects the mouth area, including lips, gums, mouth bases, and ceiling. It is a serious condition that requires immediate attention and treatment.

Q: What are the symptoms of oral cavity cancer?

A: The symptoms of oral cavity cancer may include:

A sore or ulcer in the mouth that does not heal
A lump or mass in the mouth
Difficulty swallowing or eating
Pain or numbness in the mouth or tongue
A change in the way food tastes or smells
A white or red patch on the tongue or inside the mouth

Q: What are the risk factors for oral cavity cancer?

A: The risk factors for oral cavity cancer include:

Tobacco use (smoking or chewing tobacco)
Alcohol use
Betel nut chewing
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Family history of oral cancer
Poor oral hygiene
Diet high in processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables

Q: How is oral cavity cancer diagnosed?

A: Oral cavity cancer is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and diagnostic tests, such as:

Biopsy (removing a small sample of tissue for examination)
Imaging tests (such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans)
Endoscopy (using a flexible tube with a camera to examine the mouth and throat)

Q: What are the treatment options for oral cavity cancer?

A: The treatment options for oral cavity cancer depend on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the overall health of the patient. Treatment options may include:

Surgery (removing the tumor and surrounding tissue)
Radiation therapy (using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells)
Chemotherapy (using medications to kill cancer cells)
Targeted therapy (using medications to target specific cancer cells)
Immunotherapy (using medications to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer)

Q: Can oral cavity cancer be prevented?

A: While there is no surefire way to prevent oral cavity cancer, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk, such as:

Quitting tobacco use
Reducing or avoiding alcohol use
Practicing good oral hygiene
Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Getting regular dental check-ups

Q: What is the prognosis for oral cavity cancer?

A: The prognosis for oral cavity cancer depends on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the overall health of the patient. With early detection and treatment, the prognosis is generally good, with a 5-year survival rate of around 50-60%. However, if the cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, the prognosis is poorer.

Q: Where can I get more information about oral cavity cancer?

A: You can get more information about oral cavity cancer from:

The American Cancer Society (ACS)
The National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF)
Your healthcare provider or dentist
Online resources, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)