Diagnostic delay in oral squamous cell carcinoma: the role of cognitive and psychological variables

Abstract

Better education and awareness campaigns are needed to encourage people who notice symptoms of oral cancer to quickly have their lesions inspected by medical or dental professionals. Led by Giuseppe Colella and Giuseppina Campisi, a research team from the Universities of Palermo and Naples in Italy interviewed 156 people with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity to determine the time taken between patients first noticing signs of cancer and then consulting physicians or dentists. People with knowledge or personal experience with cancer tended to seek medical assistance much earlier than people who were in denial or were unaware of the problem, the researchers found. Older patients showed a shorter delay than younger patients. The team calls for educational interventions to encourage early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, a disease responsible for an estimated 130 000 deaths worldwide each year.

Keywords

cognitive/psychological factors / diagnosis / oral squamous cell carcinoma / patient delay

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