A cross sectional study to evaluate correlation of smoking in prevalence of oral cancer

Objective: The study was conducted to access the prevalence of oral cancer among patients with habit of smokingin various age groups.
Materials and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted to access the prevalence of oral cancer among 4200 out patients who reported to Dental OPD. The clinical diagnosis of oral cancer was made after intra-oral examination of patients showing characteristic features of oral cancer. The patients were grouped according to various age groups and type of smoking habit they pursued.
Results: The prevalence of oral cancer in the study population was 235 (5.59%). Majority of subjects were male 181 (77.02%) in comparison to females 54(22.97%). The prevalence of oral cancer was maximumin 36 to 45 years of age group 101 (42.97%). Bidi smokers 550 (44%) were in majority among all the patients with habit of smoking.
Conclusion: The observations and finding of the study clearly indicated that prevalence of oral cancer and smoking habit is on rise in younger and middle age group people. Preventive measures like awareness programs should be started as early as possible. Counselling and habit cessation program should be periodically conducted.