UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Available data highlight the disparities between Non-Whites and Whites in receiving oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) screenings and stage at detection. The percentage of OPCs detected at the earliest stage for Blacks is 21% compared to 38% for Whites. Six percent of Latino adults reported having had an oral cancer examination versus 15% of Whites. Formative research was conducted in support of developing a health communication campaign to increase awareness about OPC and encourage adoption of annual professional screening among minority older adults. Project funded by the Santa Fe Group and Geriatric Fellowship at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Methods: From 2003-2005, four focus groups were conducted using a purposive sampling of Black and Latino adults age 60+ at two senior centers in North Manhattan, New York. Via questionnaires and group discussion, respondents were questioned about their oral health attitudes, behaviors, and experiences; knowledge of and interest in OPC; and preferred locations and media channels for obtaining related information (SPSS Software 13.0.01).

Results: Respondents (n=55) were on average 75 years of age, 50% male, 42% Black and 57% Latino, and 73% reported a yearly income of less than $10,000. Fifty-five percent of the sample reported previous or current use of tobacco and smoked on average 25 years. Eighty-six percent found OPC an interesting topic. Preferred locations to obtain information were senior centers (25%), medical offices (18%), churches (15%), and community centers (10%). Television was cited as the preferred media channel by 64% of the respondents. Additional findings from focus groups also will be presented.