Racial and ethnic disparity in oral cancer awareness and examination: 2003 New York state BRFSS

Objectives: This study documents the level of oral cancer awareness and examination among New York State adults and evaluates the determinants of disparities in oral cancer detection. Methods: The 2003 New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System gathered information on current awareness of oral cancer and receipt of oral cancer examination from 5,544 adults. To assess whether the racial/ethnic factor remains important for the awareness, receipt, and source of oral cancer examination after controlling for other socioeconomic and health care access variables, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted using SAS and SUDAAN. Results: Even though a majority of State adults (80.4 percent) had heard about oral cancer, about three-quarters of these adults (74.3 percent) had never heard about an oral cancer test or examination. Only 35 percent of the adults reportedly received an oral cancer examination in their lifetime. Adults with Hispanic origin were less likely to have heard about and received an oral cancer examination. Regarding the source of the examination, some 72 percent of the examinations were conducted by a dental professional; the remaining 28 percent were performed by a physician, nurse, or nurse practitioner. Non-Hispanic Blacks were more likely to have received an oral cancer examination from health care providers other than a dentist or dental hygienist. Conclusions: These data suggest the need to improve the oral cancer awareness and examination rate in New York State. Routine examination of the mouth by primary care providers as part of a physical examination would provide the best opportunity for improving the low oral cancer examination rates in minority populations.