Oral Cancer Screening Participation and Racial Disparities in Florida

In Florida, oral cancer is more than twice as likely to be diagnosed at late stages among African Americans as among whites. More frequent oral cancer exams could reduce late stage diagnoses, improve survival rates, and reduce disparities.

Objectives: The objectives were to: (1) compare prevalence of self-reported receipt of oral cancer exams to other types of cancer screenings; and (2) examine racial variation in oral cancer exams in 2 Florida metropolitan areas.

Method: Participants were adults aged ³ 35 years living in Jacksonville or Tampa who responded to a telephone survey conducted in March-June 2006. The sample was randomly selected from a commercial listing of household telephone numbers in the target areas. Analyses included t-tests and multiple logistic regression modeling.

Results: 2,000 respondents participated in the survey. Oral cancer exams (27.4%) were significantly less common than participation in mammography, clinical breast exam, Pap test, prostate specific antigen testing, digital rectal exam, blood stool test, or colonoscopy (range 49%-97%). Receipt of oral cancer exams was significantly less common for African-Americans (18%) than for whites (36%). Even when analysis was limited to persons who visited a dentist within the preceding year for a routine check-up, the prevalence of oral cancer exams was low and racial disparity remained: 46% of whites and 27% of blacks received oral cancer exams.

Conclusion: There are low levels of reported oral cancer exams, particularly among African Americans. It is unknown whether racial disparities in exams among regular dental attenders are due to differences in services provided, patient communication, or both. Disparities may be reduced by increasing disease awareness, promoting primary and secondary prevention, and enhancing dentists' communication with their patients regarding what they are being examined for and why. Supported by a UFCD Student Summer Research Fellowship, A-dec, and NIH grant R01DE16226 (ST).