title: A randomised controlled trial of a pilot intervention to encourage early presentation of oral cancer in high risk groups.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Prognosis for oral cancer is substantially improved when diagnosed early. This research aimed to evaluate an intervention to promote early presentation of oral cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to a leaflet group (n = 42), a one-to-one group (n = 46) or a control group (n = 24). Participants in the leaflet group read a theory-based (Extended Self-Regulatory Model; Social Cognitive Theory) leaflet on how to spot oral cancer early. Those in the one-to-one group received a brief, interactional discussion on early presentation of oral cancer and were then asked to read the leaflet. Participants in the control group received no information about oral cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The leaflet and the one-to-one instruction led to more accurate knowledge of oral cancer, decreased anticipated delay, and increased understanding, likelihood and confidence to perform self-examination. Neither intervention raised participants' anxiety. There were minimal differences between the two interventions, yet both were superior to the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This piloting indicates the initial effectiveness of an brief intervention purposefully designed for people at risk of developing oral cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low cost intervention may be a useful tool to encourage early detection of oral cancer. This could be embedded into routine consultations or an early detection programme.
authors.affiliation: Dental Institute, King's College London, London, UK. suzanne.scott@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Suzanne E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Mahrukh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khwaja
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinman
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Grunfeld
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires