Delayed diagnosis of oral cancer in Iran: challenge for prevention.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic delay and its determinants among oral cancer patients in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
This study was conducted between September 2004 and September 2006 in three university hospitals, and included 100 consecutive patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (international classification of disease, ICD-10 sites C01 to C06). Data were obtained through questionnaire interviews and medical records of the patients were reviewed to obtain information on the date of diagnosis, primary tumour site and the stage of the tumour at the time of diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed by t test, ANOVA and logistic regression.


RESULTS
The mean diagnostic delay was 7.2 months (SD 7.5, range 1 to 36 and median 4). The most important determinants of longer diagnostic delay were being single (OR = 4.8; 95% CI = 1.5 to 14.8; P < 0.05) and being at advanced tumour stages (OR = 5.3; 95% CI = 1.8 to 15.6; P < 0.01). The mean patient and professional delays were 5.3 months (SD 6.1 and median 2) and 2.1 months (SD 2.1 and median 1), respectively. Patients at advanced tumour stages were more likely to have longer patient and professional delays than those at early stages (OR = 5.6; 95% CI = 1.8 to 17.3 and OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.2 to 9.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Living alone was also a determinant of longer patient and professional delays (OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 2.0 to 24.7, OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.2 to 10.3, respectively; P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Developing preventive programmes that focus on the enhancement of public and professional awareness about oral cancer is essential to promote earlier diagnosis in Iran.
Sargeran
Katayoun
K
Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, PO Box 41, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland. katayoun.sargeran@helsinki.fi
Murtomaa
Heikki
H
Safavi
Seyed Mohammad Reza
SM
Teronen
Olli
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003729:Dental Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult