Oral Mucosal Lesions: Risk Factors and Oral Cancer Awareness in Adult Population—A Retrospective Study

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Aim: Early detection of oral cancer is critical, yet public awareness remains a barrier. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of clinically detected oral mucosal lesions and assess oral cancer awareness in an adult Turkish population. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 1250 patient records from a university clinic. Data on demographics, risk factors, and oral hygiene were collected. From this cohort, 263 patients (mean age 53.6 years; 60.8% male) with clinically suspected intraoral lesions were included in the study. Lesion diagnoses were based on clinical examination; a subset of 23 patients underwent histopathological confirmation through biopsy. Included participants completed a structured questionnaire on oral cancer awareness. Results: Oral lesions were clinically detected in 154 of the 263 participants. White lesions were the most common category (43.5%), followed by red-blue lesions (24.7%). A significant association was found between education level and oral cancer awareness ( P < 0.05), with university graduates demonstrating greater knowledge. Higher education was also associated with better oral hygiene habits and fewer self-reported symptoms such as oral burning ( P < 0.05). No significant association was found between the presence of lesions and risk factors such as smoking or alcohol use. Conclusion: A high prevalence of clinically suspected oral lesions was observed, yet a significant gap exists in patient awareness about oral cancer, particularly among individuals with lower education levels. The limited use of biopsy for definitive diagnosis in this real-world setting underscores the need for improved clinical pathways and public health initiatives. Educational campaigns should be prioritized to enhance early detection and bridge the awareness gap.