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| ORIGINAL RESEARCH |
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| Year : 2022 |
Volume
: 33 | Issue : 3 | Page
: 253-257 |
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Burden of oral precancer and cancer among an indigenous tribal population of South India – An evaluative study
Sivaramakrishnan Muthanandam1, Bontha V Babu2, Jananni Muthu3, Suganya Rajaram1, B Sivapatha Sundharam4, M Kishore5
1 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology & Oral Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pondicherry, India
2 Socio-Behavioural and Health Systems Research (SB and HSR), Division, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
3 Department of Periodontology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pondicherry, India
4 Principal, Department of Oral Pathology, Priyadarshini Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
5 Research Assistant, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pondicherry, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Jananni Muthu
Department of Periodontology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pondicherry
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_552_21
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Context: Oral cancer is of major concern in the Indian subcontinent and is found to be high among low socioeconomic groups. One such high-risk group is considered to be the tribal people, who are economically and socially marginalised. Aims: The aim of the present study is to assess the prevalence of oral cancer and precancer lesions among the Narikurava population in Puducherry state, India. Methods and Material: A total of 329 Narikurava tribal people were included in this study. Data was collected by clinical examination of the oral cavity by door-to-door screening. The oral cavity was examined for white/red lesions, ulcerative changes, leathery changes and tissue growths. Statistical Analysis Used: Prevalence was calculated in terms of percentages. Descriptive statistics included the calculation of percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Results: The prevalence of precancer in the population is 48.3%. The majority of the lesions were observed in the buccal mucosa: 41.6% had white lesions, 9.1% had red lesions, 0.3% had ulcerations or growth, and 28.3% had leathery changes followed by the labial mucosa: 0.6% had white lesions, 0.6% had red lesions, 0.3% had ulcerations or growth and 16.4% had leathery changes. Conclusions: The present study observed a high prevalence of precancerous lesions among the Narikurava tribe. The main reason for the high prevalence is attributed to tobacco and tobacco-related habits. Hence, cancer control activities should be prioritised. Designing a model to detect precancer and cancer early and to constantly monitor the detected cases in such populations is of utmost importance.
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