Oral cancer screenings: factors associated with likelihood of participation

Objective: The primary purpose of this Cancer Screening Study analysis was to determine which factors were associated with likelihood of participation (LOP) in oral cancer screenings. Specific factors reported on include demographic variables (e.g.., race/ethnicity, gender, age, education, and income) as well as specific beliefs and fears. Methods: The Cancer Screening Questionnaire was administered via random-digit dial telephone interviews to adults in three cities: New York City, NY; Baltimore, MD; and San Juan, PR. Results: A total of 1,148 interviews were completed (30.9% Blacks, 42.0% Whites, and 27.1 % Puerto Rican (PR) Hispanics) with a response rate of 50%, and a completion rate of 84%. While there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in LOP in oral cancer screenings across age groups (18-29 yo were less likely than either 30-59 yo or 60-95 yo) and across racial/ethnic groups [PR Hispanics (77.8%) were more likely than either Whites (66.0%) or Blacks (69.9%)], but not across gender, education or income levels. There were no statistically significance differences in LOP for oral cancer screenings for either the: 1) “fear of my hearing that I have cancer”;or, 2) “fear that it would upset my family”, 3) belief that “I'm unlikely to get cancer”. However, the belief that ‘early detection might save your life” showed a strong positive association (p < .000) with LOP in oral cancer screenings with 75.8% of those answering ‘total agreement' with this belief, 65.6% answering ‘a great deal', 57.5% answering ‘some belief', and 47.1% answering ‘a little or not at all' indicating they were likely to get an oral cancer screening. Conclusions: Of the above fears and beliefs, the data suggest that messages intended to recruit people to oral cancer screenings should emphasize the positive belief that ‘early detection might save your life', rather than the negative fears usually associated with cancer.

Study was supported by NIDCR/NIH grants: U54 DE14257 and T32 DE 007255.