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Abstract #151450

Amit Chattopadhyay, PhD, MPH, MDS, Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Room # 209-C, College of Public Health, 121 Washington Avenue, Lexington, KY 40536, 859-257-5648 Ext 82226, achat4@email.uky.edu and Sharmila Chatterjee, MBBS, DNB(I), Departments of Intensive Care, and Family Medicine, Advanced Medicare and Research Institute, P-4&5, C.I.T. Scheme-LXXII, Block-A, Gariahat Road (Beside Dhakuria Bridge), Kolkata, 700029, India.

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer (OCa) survival rates are high and remained stable over the past half a century. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with OCa survival and develop theoretical basis for assessing the public health impact of these factors. METHODS: A theoretical conceptual model for interaction of factors that could impact OCa survival was developed, grouping the factors sequentially into components, effectors, sub-domains and domains. The domains included different heads such as socio-economic and demographic factors, OCa related biological, diagnostic, and treatment factors and others. These domains interacted with each other and a hierarchically interacting cascading system was developed. A comprehensive literature review was carried out to list all factors associated with OCa survival. These factors were classified into primary- , secondary- and tertiary prevention related factors and then super-imposed on the conceptual model developed in the previous step. A computer-simulation of the model was developed and examined. RESULTS: A theoretical ‘web of causation' model-system of interacting factors contributing to OCa survival was synthesized and tested with computer simulation suggesting that public health impact for increasing oral cancer survival resided at the early OCa detection level. CONCLUSIONS: Improving early detection and prompt diagnosis seems to be a major point of action that could substantially improve OCa survival for OCa. The model also provides pointers for impact points for targeting public health policies to increase OCa survival.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify major factors associated with oral cancer survival.
• Assess role of early detection in oral cancer survival.
• Describe interplay of various factors impacting oral cancer survival.

Keywords: Oral Health, Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.