Oral cancer examination: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Analysis

Objectives: A survey using the BRFSS was conducted to assess the awareness of oral cancer and receipt of oral cancer examination in New York State. Methods: An oral cancer module was added to the 2003 BRFSS. BRFSS is an ongoing telephone survey of the adult population using random digit dialing (RDD). A total of 5,544 adults were interviewed using a standardized protocol. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between socioeconomic status and other health care access variables and receipt of oral cancer examination. Results: Majority of state adults [74.3% (95% CI, 72.9-75.7)] answered that they had never heard about oral cancer examination. Only 34.8% (95% CI, 33.3-36.4) of the adults reportedly had received an oral cancer examination in their lifetime. Variables associated with no receipt of oral cancer examination were low education level, [OR=1.69 (1.17-2.44)], Hispanic [OR=1.79 (1.27-2.52)], and limited access to dental [OR=1.73 (1.41-2.12)] or medical services [OR=1.52 (1.20-1.91)]. The two main reasons for not receiving an examination were lack of knowledge [63.8% (95% CI, 61.8-65.8)] and no recommendation by dentists or physicians (24.3% (95% CI, 22.6-26.1)]. While dentists had provided a majority of the oral cancer examinations (71.6%), other health care providers (28.4%) had also contributed. Males [OR=1.72 (1.29-2.30)], African Americans [OR=3.44 (2.16-5.49)], Hispanics [OR=1.98 (1.08-3.63)], and adults who did not have a dental visit in the past year [OR=2.87(2.02-4.09)] were more likely to be examined for oral cancer by other health care providers. Conclusions: There is a need to improve the public's awareness of oral cancer. Dental offices and other health care practitioners could play a significant role in eliminating disparities in oral cancer detection. Supported by NIDCR (5R21DE01442503)