Oral cancer awareness among aged patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases in Russian Federation

The secret of longevity is not only in healthy lifestyle and genetics, but in the forehanded prevention of diseases. Nowadays the preservation of health is much more the patient's responsibility. This mission can be realized only through the high level of patient's awareness and treatment compliance. Oral cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among all malignancies worldwide. A gap in patient knowledge about oral cancer, specifically related to risk factors and signs and symptoms, is posited to be among the key modifiable factor contributing to high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the oral cancer awareness among patients of the risk group (aged patients with chronic oral mucosal diseases). Results of the study showed the lack of oral cancer awareness among patients: the mean knowledge score for the risk factors - 3,1 +/- 1,2 out of 8,0, for the signs and symptoms - 4,9 +/- 1,3 out of 12,0. It was found that women had higher oncological awareness than men, as well as participants with high educational level, and patients with premalignant oral lesions (oral lichen planus, oral leukoplakia). Educational programs are essential for improvement of oral cancer awareness among population.