Professional education on oral cancer

Key Points

• General medical practitioners' awareness of oral cancer risk factors and clinical appearance is less than that of their dental counterparts.

• Patients can present to their general medical practitioners with oral lesions.

• Alcohol use must be emphasised as a risk factor for oral cancer in future training of health professionals.

• The significance of erythroplakia and erythroleukoplakia needs to be emphasised in future training of health professionals.

• This paper highlights the need for improved education of general medical and general dental practitioners on oral cancer.

Abstract

Objectives

To assess general medical practitioners' (GMPs') and general dental practitioners' (GDPs') awareness of prevention and early detection of oral cancer.

Design

Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study.

Setting

Primary care

Method

Questionnaires were delivered to all GMPs and GDPs in Tayside, assessing oral examination habits, delivery of advice on oral cancer risk factors, knowledge of oral cancer risk factors and clinical appearance, preferred point of referral and requests for further information.

Results

Response rates of 71% and 84% were obtained from GMPs and GDPs respectively. GMPs were less likely to examine patients' oral mucosa routinely, less likely to advise patients about risk factors for oral cancer, identified fewer risk factors for, and felt less confident about diagnosing oral cancer from clinical appearance than their dental counterparts. Seventy-one percent and 80% of GMPs and GDPs respectively requested further information about oral cancer.

Conclusion

Patients with oral lesions often present to their general medical practitioner. The incidence of oral cancer is rising in the United Kingdom, therefore the role of general medical practitioners in prevention and detection of oral cancer is becoming ever more important. This study highlights the need for improved education of general medical practitioners on oral cancer.

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