Table 3 Comparison the identification of potential clinical manifestations of oral cancer by the participants

Mucosal irregular discoloration

37(37%)

27(39,7%)

0,723

Pattern, size, and shape changes of lesion

9(9%)

1(1,5%)

^b0,050*

Oral cavity tissue growth and hyperplasia

19(19%)

13(19,1%)

^b1,000

Spontaneous bleeding

7(7%)

8(11,8%)

0,288

Non-healing and treatment-refractory lesions

26(26%)

4(5,9%)

0,001**

Swelling, erythema

6(6%)

8(11,8%)

^b0,185

White lesions

10(10%)

10(14,7%)

^b0,355

Precancerous lesions, leukoplakia, erythroplakia

9(9%)

4(5,9%)

^b0,458

Painful/painless ulcerative lesions, diffuse erythematous lesions

23(23%)

4(5,9%)

0,003**

Irregular lesions with obscure margins

9(9%)

1(1,5%)

^b0,050*

Spontaneous painful/painless lesions

9(9%)

3(4,4%)

^b0,364

Aphthous ulcers/lesions, pigmentations

6(6%)

3(4,4%)

0,740

Numbness of the area of the mouth

2(2%)

3(4,4%)

^b0,395

Irregular lesions of the tongue or floor of the mouth leading to swallowing or chewing difficulties

6(6%)

2(2,9%)

^b0,476

Lesions disrupting the mucosal integrity

5(5%)

1(1,5%)

^b0,403

Solid areas with keratinization or necrosis

6(6%)

2(2,9%)

^b0,476

Jaw bone expansion, tooth displacement/mobility without an apparent cause, irregular bone loss

4(4%)

2(2,9%)

^b1,000

Idiopathic

15(15%)

10(14,7%)

0,958

Potential clinical manifestations of oral cancer awareness score

 min-max (median)

0–6 (2)

1–4 (1)

^d0,002**

 mean ± SD

2,08 ± 1,13

1,55 ± 0,78