Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India
PURPOSE The burden of cancer is increasing globally, with poor outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality in patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and signs of common cancers in addition to inadequate cancer prevention programs a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Society of Clinical Oncology
2020-11-01
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| Series: | JCO Global Oncology |
| Online Access: | https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JGO.19.00257 |
| _version_ | 1818357918412570624 |
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| author | Kunal Oswal Rishav Kanodia Akash Pradhan Umakant Nadkar Mahendra Avhad Ramachandran Venkataramanan Lakshman Sethuraman Carlo Caduff Arnie Purushotham |
| author_facet | Kunal Oswal Rishav Kanodia Akash Pradhan Umakant Nadkar Mahendra Avhad Ramachandran Venkataramanan Lakshman Sethuraman Carlo Caduff Arnie Purushotham |
| author_sort | Kunal Oswal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PURPOSE The burden of cancer is increasing globally, with poor outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality in patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and signs of common cancers in addition to inadequate cancer prevention programs at the community level are a major hindrance to the early detection of cancer. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the North East Region (NER) of India, with a sample population of 1,400 participants from Assam (n = 1,000), Meghalaya (n = 200), and Nagaland (n = 200). The questionnaire developed for the study consisted of sociodemographic profile, knowledge about cancer (oral, breast, and cervical), its warning signs, risk factors, and attitude toward cancer screening. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 13.0. RESULTS Among all the participants, 59% had heard about oral cancer, 50% about breast cancer, and 31% about cervical cancer. A limited understanding of risk factors, symptoms, and signs was reported for oral cancer (45%), breast cancer (54%), and cervical cancer (63%). A total of 34% of participants were aware of cancer screening. Among those who were aware of cancer screening, only six people had undergone any form of cancer screening, and 71% cited media as the major source of information. CONCLUSION The level of cancer awareness is low in the NER. A multipronged approach is needed with assistance from government and nongovernment organizations for training, providing adequate human resources and equipment, and developing cancer screening infrastructure. This needs to be coupled with mass media communication and interpersonal communication through frontline health workers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T20:20:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c67e6b2753ac466fba9c0ea3c26c4d94 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2687-8941 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T20:20:44Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | American Society of Clinical Oncology |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JCO Global Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-c67e6b2753ac466fba9c0ea3c26c4d942022-12-21T23:32:43ZengAmerican Society of Clinical OncologyJCO Global Oncology2687-89412020-11-01660160910.1200/JGO.19.00257Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of IndiaKunal Oswal0Rishav Kanodia1Akash Pradhan2Umakant Nadkar3Mahendra Avhad4Ramachandran Venkataramanan5Lakshman Sethuraman6Carlo Caduff7Arnie Purushotham8Tata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts, Mumbai, IndiaTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaGlobal Health and Social Medicine, King’s College London, London, United KingdomTata Trusts Cancer Care Program, Mumbai, IndiaPURPOSE The burden of cancer is increasing globally, with poor outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality in patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and signs of common cancers in addition to inadequate cancer prevention programs at the community level are a major hindrance to the early detection of cancer. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the North East Region (NER) of India, with a sample population of 1,400 participants from Assam (n = 1,000), Meghalaya (n = 200), and Nagaland (n = 200). The questionnaire developed for the study consisted of sociodemographic profile, knowledge about cancer (oral, breast, and cervical), its warning signs, risk factors, and attitude toward cancer screening. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 13.0. RESULTS Among all the participants, 59% had heard about oral cancer, 50% about breast cancer, and 31% about cervical cancer. A limited understanding of risk factors, symptoms, and signs was reported for oral cancer (45%), breast cancer (54%), and cervical cancer (63%). A total of 34% of participants were aware of cancer screening. Among those who were aware of cancer screening, only six people had undergone any form of cancer screening, and 71% cited media as the major source of information. CONCLUSION The level of cancer awareness is low in the NER. A multipronged approach is needed with assistance from government and nongovernment organizations for training, providing adequate human resources and equipment, and developing cancer screening infrastructure. This needs to be coupled with mass media communication and interpersonal communication through frontline health workers.https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JGO.19.00257 |
| spellingShingle | Kunal Oswal Rishav Kanodia Akash Pradhan Umakant Nadkar Mahendra Avhad Ramachandran Venkataramanan Lakshman Sethuraman Carlo Caduff Arnie Purushotham Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India JCO Global Oncology |
| title | Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India |
| title_full | Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India |
| title_short | Assessment of Knowledge and Screening in Oral, Breast, and Cervical Cancer in the Population of the Northeast Region of India |
| title_sort | assessment of knowledge and screening in oral breast and cervical cancer in the population of the northeast region of india |
| url | https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JGO.19.00257 |
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