Burden of oral precancer and cancer among an indigenous tribal population of South India – An evaluative study

Autor: Sivaramakrishnan Muthanandam, Bontha V Babu, Jananni Muthu, Suganya Rajaram, B Sivapatha Sundharam, M Kishore
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Indian Journal of Dental Research, Vol 33, Iss 3, Pp 253-257 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 0970-9290
1998-3603
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_552_21
Popis: Context: Oral cancer is of major concern in the Indian subcontinent and is found to be high among low socioeconomic groups. One such high-risk group is considered to be the tribal people, who are economically and socially marginalised. Aims: The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of oral cancer and precancer lesions among the Narikurava population in Puducherry state, India. Methods and Material: A total of 329 Narikurava tribal people were included in this study. Data was collected by clinical examination of the oral cavity by door-to-door screening. The oral cavity was examined for white/red lesions, ulcerative changes, leathery changes and tissue growths. Statistical Analysis Used: Prevalence was calculated in terms of percentages. Descriptive statistics included the calculation of percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Results: The prevalence of precancer in the population is 48.3%. The majority of the lesions were observed in the buccal mucosa: 41.6% had white lesions, 9.1% had red lesions, 0.3% had ulcerations or growth, and 28.3% had leathery changes followed by the labial mucosa: 0.6% had white lesions, 0.6% had red lesions, 0.3% had ulcerations or growth and 16.4% had leathery changes. Conclusions: The present study observed a high prevalence of precancerous lesions among the Narikurava tribe. The main reason for the high prevalence is attributed to tobacco and tobacco-related habits. Hence, cancer control activities should be prioritised. Designing a model to detect precancer and cancer early and to constantly monitor the detected cases in such populations is of utmost importance.
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