U.S. adult knowledge of risk factors and signs of oral cancers: 1990

Americans probably know very little about the risk factors and early warning signs of oral cancer despite a 5-year survival rate of 54%, according to a survey by the National Center for Health Statistics. Oral cancers affect all mouth areas, tongue and lips, and cause 8,000 annual deaths in the U.S. In a survey of 41,104 adults, the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement measured how knowledgeable the general population was about oral cancer. Sixty-seven percent of participants (67%) identified only smoking and tobacco chewing as substantial cancer risks. Furthermore, only 25% of respondents could easily recognize early cancer symptoms, such as mouth sores and swelling. Lack of knowledge and incorrect answers can be reversed by the educational efforts of oral care providers.