Background: Oral malignancy is an emerging disease all over
the world. Treatment failure is grave if the diagnosis is delayed in this
disease, which will ultimately increase the mortality rate. This issue is more
important for Bangladesh, as oral cancer is highly prevalent in this country.
Aim: This study intends to evaluate the factors contributing
to the delayed diagnosis of oral malignancies. Health care seeking behaviour of
the patients, their socioeconomic conditions, difficulties in the health care
delivery and referral systems were assessed to identify the delay between the
appearance of symptoms and seeking medical treatments.
Materials and Methods: This is an observational
sociodemographic study. The study was done with a sample size of 215 cases of
oral cancer patients. This observational study was conducted from 1st August
2015 to 31st December 2016 at Upazila Health Complex, Mirsarai, Chattogram
& later at the ENT Department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital from
1st March 2017 to 30th April 2018. Patients underwent thorough clinical
examination; medical records were reviewed, necessary investigations were
performed, and interview data were recorded using a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: The study found that people in the age group of
55-64 years were affected most (33.95%), and the least affected age group was
25-34 yrs (1.86%). In the study, most of the patients were found in the
advanced stage of oral malignancy, stage-III (31.6%). Within stage III, most
patients are of age group 55-64 years. Several causes of diagnostic delay were
identified. Among them, monetary issues (78%) and Ignorance or Illiteracy (69%)
have been found as the most important causes. Factors contributing to delayed
cancer diagnosis included the stage of the disease, delays in the referral
system, tobacco use, age, gender, use of alternative medicine, social taboos,
and the distance between the hospital and the patient’s residence.
Conclusion: Diagnostic delay in oral cancer is strongly
influenced by socioeconomic factors, poor awareness, and delayed referral
systems. Many of the causes of delay can be prevented. The authority should
establish awareness among the patients and a protocol for early detection of
cancer by the health professionals.
Author(s) Details
Nurul Karim Chowdhury
Department of ENT & Head-Neck Surgery, Chittagong Medical College,
Chattogram, Bangladesh.
Mostafa Mahfuzul
Anwar
Department of ENT, 250 Bedded Chattogram General Hospital, Chattogram,
Bangladesh.
Ziaul Answar
Chowdhury
Department of ENT, 250 Bedded Chattogram General Hospital, Chattogram,
Bangladesh.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v6/7066
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