Reasons for Non-compliance of Patients to Attend Referral Hospital After Screening for Oral Pre-cancer Lesions through Camp Approach in Rural Population of Indiaa

Sir, Oral cancer is a serious and growing problem and it is the sixth most common cancer in the world. In high‐risk countries such as Srilanka, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, oral cancer is the most common cancer in men and may contribute up to 25% of all new cases.[1] The higher incidence of oral cancer and pre‐cancers has been linked with the habit of betel quid and tobacco chewing in India and it is estimated that among the 400 million individuals aged 15 years and above, 47% use tobacco in one form or the other in our country.[2] Patient delay has been cited as the main reason for late attendance and it seems probable that in both the high risk and general population, neither the symptoms of oral cancer, nor the main risk factors are well‐understood.[3] Public awareness about the risk factors and methods of early detection of oral cancer is quite low.[3] It has also been observed that chronic tobacco chewers and smokers, who are at a higher risk, do not take advantage of community oral cancer screening programs, if offered. Even if, they come for screening they avoid undergoing for further diagnosis and management. The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons behind the non‐attendance and non‐compliance of patients with oral pre‐cancer and cancer lesions detected in camp screening program for further diagnosis and management at the hospital. This study was approved by an ethical committee of the institute.