Mouthful of Fears: Unmasking Cancerophobia in Patients with Oral Lesions

Background: Cancerophobia in patients with oral lesions can lead to anxiety, frequent medical consultations, avoidance behavior and adverse impact on quality of life. Objective: Present study aims to evaluate the occurrence of cancerophobia, assess its psychological impact and to correlate socio-demographic factors in patients with oral lesions. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based questionnaire study was done, 15 point validated questionnaire (closed ended) were administered to patients, clinically diagnosed with oral lesions. The questionnaire included demographic data, medical history, and a comprehensive psychological assessment to gauge the level of cancerophobia. Results: The data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test in SPSS software. In our study, 23.75% of patients showed severe levels of worry, and 12.5% showed very severe worry. These worry levels were strongly linked to factors such as age ( P = 0.038), education level ( P = 0.039), and having a family history of cancer ( P = 0.002). Conclusion: Cancerophobia impacts not only emotional well-being but also places a significant financial strain on patients adding to the overall burden on the public health system.