Background: Cancer is the third leading cause of mortality in developing countries. Awareness of public about warning signs of cancer in relation to early detection and prevention has been surveyed in a few countries only, and results showed poor knowledge among them.The present study was aimed at investigating the awareness level about warning signs of cancer and its determinants in rural population of Mysuru District. Materials and Methods: This cross­sectional survey was conducted in two selected villages which come under rural field practice area of JSS Medical College, Mysore in the month of July­September 2014. 200 people aged 18 years and above were included in the study. Results: The study showed that, out of 200 people interviewed, the awareness regarding persistent Change in bowel and bladder habits was 77(38.5%), Non healing Wound 70(35%), Bleeding from natural orifices 75(37.5%), Lump in  breast 92(46.0%), Difficulty in swallowing 69(34.5%), Difficulty in opening  mouth 70(35.0%), Change in Size or shape of wart 62(31.0%), Hoarseness of voice 76(38.0%), Unexplained Weight loss 86(43.0%). It showed that, 06(3%) were having persistent change in Bowel and bladder habits, 02(1%) were having Non Healing wound, 3(1.5%) were having Bleeding from natural orifices, 02(1.0%)were having lump in breast, 5(2.5%) were having unexplained weight loss Conclusion: The awareness related to warning signals of cancer was very low among study participants. Therefore, educational and intervention programmes, with special attention placed on particular at­risk populations, to increase awareness about the disease leading to its early diagnosis is needed.

Keywords: Awareness; Cancer; Warning Signs; Mysore.