Perceptions, Beliefs, and Knowledge of Oral and Familial Cancer in an Indigenous Community of Chile: A Mixed Quantitative—Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers globally and represents a public health problem. Cultural practices and access to care are recognized as determinants of oral diseases, including cancer. Understanding the perceptions of indigenous communities is crucial for developing culturally appropriate interventions. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge about oral and familial cancer within a specific indigenous community (Quechua and Aymara) in Chile using a mixed-methods approach. Methods: This exploratory study was conducted in two phases: an oral cavity clinical examination and a qualitative phase, consisting of semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants from the clinical examination. A total of 77 volunteers with no prior history of oral cancer underwent an oral cavity clinical examination, and 53% reported a familial history of cancer. The interview was conducted with 18 participants. Results: No significant differences were found in the clinical oral health status between the indigenous and nonindigenous populations. However, a lack of knowledge of oral cancer was noted in the indigenous community. A higher proportion of participants from the indigenous population reported a family history of cancer. Conclusion: The community demonstrated limited knowledge about oral cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies for oral health promotion and oral cancer prevention to address the specific needs of these communities.