Delayed Diagnosis and Traditional Healing in Tobacco-Related Oral Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis of Healthcare Challenges in Rural Northeast India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55544/ijrah.5.3.48Keywords:
Oral cancer, tobacco use, traditional healing, rural healthcare, Northeast India, delayed diagnosis, health-seeking behavior, cultural barriers, healthcare access, mixed-methods research, health systemsAbstract
Tobacco consumption remains one of the foremost preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in India, with the Northeastern region experiencing a disproportionately high burden of oral cancers. This comprehensive mixed-methods study examines the complex interplay of sociocultural, economic, and healthcare system factors that contribute to delayed diagnosis of oral cancer through an embedded case-control design. We present an in-depth analysis of a 55-year-old male agricultural laborer from rural Northeast India as our index case, contextualizing his experience through comparison with 24 additional oral cancer patients from the same region. The patient's journey; from initial symptoms to eventual diagnosis of metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma; illustrates how reliance on traditional healing practices, socioeconomic constraints, geographical barriers, and inadequate primary healthcare infrastructure collectively delay timely medical intervention. Through qualitative interviews with family members (n=15), healthcare providers (n=12), and traditional healers (n=8), complemented by geospatial analysis of healthcare access points, this study triangulates multiple data sources to construct a comprehensive understanding of care-seeking pathways. The analysis reveals significant gaps in the implementation of national cancer control programs in rural areas and highlights the disconnect between traditional healing systems and modern medical care. This research contributes to the growing literature on culturally responsive cancer prevention strategies and offers evidence-based recommendations for developing integrated care pathways that respect indigenous knowledge while improving early detection rates for oral cancer in resource-limited settings.
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