Health-Seeking Behaviour and Delayed Presentation of Oral Cancer Patients in a Developing Country: A Qualitative Study based on the Self-Regulatory Model

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

2 Oral Cancer Research, Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to explore reasons for delayed health-seeking for late stage oral cancer
patients. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 oral cancer patients with TNM stage
III to IV disease, who were treated at six tertiary regional centres managing oral cancer throughout Malaysia. Interviews
were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded using NVivo (version 10.0) qualitative software and analysed
using framework analysis. Results: Participants interpreted their early symptoms as a minor condition and did not
consider it as requiring immediate attention. Four types of coping strategies causing delayed help-seeking emerged:
1) self-remedy 2) self-medication 3) seeking traditional healers and 4) consulting general medical practitioners (GPs)
instead of dentists. Socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs and religious practices have some influence on diagnostic
delay. Conclusion: Low levels of public knowledge and awareness regarding early signs and symptoms of oral cancer
as well as GPs’ misdiagnosis of early lesions results in delayed diagnosis.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 19, Issue 10
October 2018
Pages 2935-2941

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 May 2018
  • Revise Date: 23 July 2018
  • Accept Date: 14 August 2018

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