Oral cancer awareness and education within the pharmacy profession

Saadat, Soheyl, Longridge, Nicholas ORCID: 0000-0002-9101-2378, Shaw, Richard ORCID: 0000-0001-7027-8997, Walker, Andrew and McCarthy, Caroline (2023) Oral cancer awareness and education within the pharmacy profession. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE, 29 (4). pp. 826-832.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10781552221081387

Abstract

The incidence of oral cancers are rising in the UK, with early detection a significant positive prognostic factor. The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted patients access to dental services, reducing a potential avenue to diagnosis. Community pharmacists are well positioned to play an expanded role in supporting earlier detection. This study seeks to identify levels of awareness and knowledge of oral cancer amongst community pharmacists, to inform development of educational resources.A cross-sectional digital survey was distributed via social media between August and September 2021. Data were collected on participant's demographics, oral cancer awareness and educational resources relevant to oral cancer. The results obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS software.61 pharmacists completed the survey. The majority were female (n = 40; 65.6%) aged 18-30 (n = 33; 54.1%). Less than half of respondents reported feeling confident in recognising risk factors (37.7%; n = 23). A substantial minority (n = 8; 13.1%) incorrectly selected fluoride toothpaste use as a risk factor for oral cancer. Most respondents correctly suggested signposting patients with signs or symptoms of oral cancer to a General Medical or General Dental Practitioner (GDP) (n = 35; 57.3%, n = 46; 75.4%). 91.8% of respondents (n = 56) would welcome an educational resource to support professional development.This study demonstrates a need for further educational resources regarding oral cancer, specifically aimed at community pharmacists. Community Pharmacists have a crucial role in efforts to improve rates of early detection of oral cancers. Work should be completed to explore the establishment of direct referral pathways from community pharmacy to secondary care.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Oral cancer, early detection, community pharmacy, oral cancer education, signposting
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences > School of Dentistry Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	05 Apr 2022 10:37
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2023 22:34
DOI:	10.1177/10781552221081387
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3152157