Oral Cancer Awareness and Prevention in Rural Southern India: A Focus on Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu bears a disproportionate burden of oral cancer in India, mainly due to high rates of tobacco and betel nut consumption, limited awareness, and constrained access to screening and treatment. This study assesses the effectiveness of public health interventions targeting oral cancer prevention, awareness, behavioral change, and screening participation in high-risk populations across the state. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed with pre- and post-intervention assessments among 800 community participants and 50 healthcare providers. Stratified random and purposive sampling methods were used. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) for descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and paired t-tests, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis via NVivo. Results: Post-intervention screening participation increased significantly from 12.5% to 37.5% (p < 0.001), and provider recommendations rose from 18.8% to 43.8%. Despite improvements, public awareness remained low—only 18.8% of participants recognized red or white patches as warning signs, and just 12.5% were aware of early screening options. Financial barriers (50%), limited knowledge (37.5%), and cultural stigma (25%) were reported as significant obstacles. Healthcare providers demonstrated greater knowledge and proactive screening behavior than the general public. Conclusion: Public health interventions improved provider engagement and community participation in screening programs. However, persistent gaps in awareness, access, and socio-cultural barriers hinder early detection efforts. Ongoing community education, subsidized screening initiatives, and outreach in underserved areas are critical to reducing oral cancer incidence in Tamil Nadu.