Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the knowledge level of Turkish medical faculty undergraduates about oral cancers.

METHODS: The study included 87 students (57 males, 30 females; mean age 21.52±1.89 years; range, 19 to 33 years). Participants were given a survey developed from surveys used in previous studies. Participants were asked to fill the survey themselves. Responses given to the survey were recorded. The survey consisted of questions including the knowledge level about oral cancers and the risks of oral cancers. The answers included two options as “Yes, I agree” and “No, I disagree”.

RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the responses participants gave to the questions according to their academic years (all p values >0.05). The fact that smoking and tobacco products are risk factors for oral cancers was answered correctly by all participants. “The question of whether a family history of cancer is a risk factor” was answered correctly at a lower rate by fifth grade students compared to other grades (p=0.042). There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of correct responses given to the other questions by the participants according to their academic years (all p values >0.05).

CONCLUSION: According to our findings, Turkish medical faculty undergraduates have relatively good knowledge of oral cancers. It is required that the training regarding oral cancers is reinforced in the medical curriculum.