A randomised controlled trial of a pilot intervention to encourage early presentation of oral cancer in high risk groups

TY - JOUR

T1 - A randomised controlled trial of a pilot intervention to encourage early presentation of oral cancer in high risk groups

AU - Scott, Suzanne

AU - Kwaja, M

AU - Low, Emma

AU - Weinman, john

AU - Grunfeld, E.

PY - 2011/8

Y1 - 2011/8

N2 - ObjectivePrognosis for oralcancer is substantially improved when diagnosed early. This research aimed to evaluate an intervention to promote earlypresentation of oralcancer.MethodsParticipants 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 oralcancerearly. Those in the one-to-one group received a brief, interactional discussion on earlypresentation of oralcancer and were then asked to read the leaflet. Participants in the control group received no information about oralcancer.ResultsThe leaflet and the one-to-one instruction led to more accurate knowledge of oralcancer, 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.ConclusionThis piloting indicates the initial effectiveness of an brief intervention purposefully designed for people at risk of developing oralcancer.Practice implicationA low cost intervention may be a useful tool to encourageearly detection of oralcancer. This could be embedded into routine consultations or an early detection programme

AB - ObjectivePrognosis for oralcancer is substantially improved when diagnosed early. This research aimed to evaluate an intervention to promote earlypresentation of oralcancer.MethodsParticipants 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 oralcancerearly. Those in the one-to-one group received a brief, interactional discussion on earlypresentation of oralcancer and were then asked to read the leaflet. Participants in the control group received no information about oralcancer.ResultsThe leaflet and the one-to-one instruction led to more accurate knowledge of oralcancer, 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.ConclusionThis piloting indicates the initial effectiveness of an brief intervention purposefully designed for people at risk of developing oralcancer.Practice implicationA low cost intervention may be a useful tool to encourageearly detection of oralcancer. This could be embedded into routine consultations or an early detection programme

KW - Oralcancer; Early detection; One-to-one; Leaflet; Self-regulatory model; Social Cognitive Theory

U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.015

DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2012.03.015

M3 - Article

SN - 0738-3991

VL - 88

SP - 241

EP - 248

JO - Patient Education and Counseling

JF - Patient Education and Counseling

IS - 2

ER -