Prevention of Oral Cancer and Its Risk Factors by Health Workers through Health Education-A Review

Oral cancer is largely prevalent in India, mostly affecting the marginalized communities. Its causes are attributed to tobacco and alcohol consumption resulting in severe mortality and morbidity. Hence it is a major public health problem. The risk factors being preventable, this itself is an advantage for public health professionals. But other challenges also exists as these risk factors are influenced strongly by the socioeconomic, cultural, regional, lifestyle and psychological aspects. Creating awareness about the effects of these risk factors to the community is crucial. WHO suggested to utilize existing health and education systems for oral health services in developing and lower economic nations. Health workers form a strong link between the community and health care in rural India. Hence they play a key role in creating and reinforcing health awareness in the community. This review explores possibilities of involving health care workers for educating community about oral cancer and its risk factors.