Awareness, lifestyle risk habits, cessation patterns, and knowledge on oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer in central Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer, predominantly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and potentially malignant oral disorders (OPMDs) pose significant health challenges in Sri Lanka. Despite being preventable, these conditions remain prevalent, largely owing to modifiable lifestyles and limited public awareness. This study aimed to assess awareness of oral cancer and OPMDs, associated risk behaviors, and their determinants among adults in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. METHODS: A descriptive, community-based cluster sampling was conducted among 1,070 adults across the Kandy, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya districts of Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was initially pretested through interviewer administration, and subsequently administered as a self-administered survey. Sociodemographic information, awareness of oral cancer and OPMDs, and engagement in risk habits were analysed via descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: Of the 1,070 participants, 1030 (96.3%) provided valid responses. Awareness of oral cancer was high (81%), whereas awareness of OPMDs was markedly lower (48.6%). The primary sources of information were television and radio. Higher awareness levels were significantly associated with residing in Kandy district, being of Sinhala ethnicity, having tertiary-level education, and having professional or semiprofessional occupations (p < 0.05). Lifestyle behaviors were notable, with 17% reporting betel chewing, 9.9% smoking, and 13.6% alcohol consumption; however, the overall cessation rate across these risk habits was low at only 12.2%. Overall, 2.5% of the respondents reported oral conditions, of whom 1.3% had OPMDs. The most frequently reported symptoms were persistent white patches and chronic nonhealing wounds. CONCLUSIONS: Although awareness of oral cancer is relatively high, knowledge of OPMDs and their symptoms remains insufficient. Risk habits contributing to oral cancer and OPMDs are widespread, with cessation being motivated primarily by health issues rather than preventive awareness. Targeted educational interventions, particularly through mass media and healthcare professionals, are essential to close the awareness gap, encourage early detection, and reduce the prevalence of high-risk behaviors.