Oral and pharyngeal cancer in North Carolina: Disparity and opportunity


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5182.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 2:45 PM

Abstract #119509

John R. Elter, DMD, PhD¹, Ronald P. Strauss, DMD, PhD², Janet H. Southerland, DDS, MPH, PhD³, Tanya E. Ashe, RDH², and Lauren L. Patton, DDS³. (1) SciMetrika, LLC, 100 Capitola Drive, Suite 104, Research Triangle Park, NC 27713-4496, 919-544-8988, jelter@scimetrika.com, (2) UNC School of Dentistry, C.B. # 7450, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, (3) Department of Dental Ecology, Hospital Dentistry, CB#7450, School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

North Carolina (NC) is the 11th most populous state, has a growing elderly population, is the leading tobacco producer, and has the lowest tobacco excise tax in the US. In addition, NC ranks sixth in percent of adult cigarette smokers and has a high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use. Given this concentration of conditions favorable to the development of oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC), it is not surprising that incidence and mortality rates for OPC are high, particularly among African Americans. We conducted a number of investigations as part of an NIDCR-funded R-21 project “North Carolina Needs Assessment for Oral Cancer Control” from 2001-2004. Findings are presented for temporal trends, as well as geographic, racial and gender disparities in OPC incidence and mortality from 1990 to 1999; knowledge of OPC risk factors, signs and symptoms, and OPC examination experience among community-dwelling adults; patient factors associated with OPC diagnosis via dental practice compared to medical practice and delay in diagnosis; and OPC diagnostic knowledge and practices among dentists, dental hygienists, and family physicians and nurse practitioners in NC. Recommendations will be advanced for future research in OPC prevention and control that are specific to NC. In addition, we will suggest innovative interventions that can be targeted toward at-risk population groups in NC.

Supported by NIH Grant R-21 DE14413

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1)Recognize the specific conditions for the development of oral and pharyngeal cancer that exist in North Carolina;
2)Discuss the results of research performed as part of a North Carolina statewide needs assessment for oral cancer control;
3)Identify possible future research and appropriate interventions to reduce oral cancer in North Carolina

Keywords: Tobacco, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF I am employed by a for-profit supplier of public health research services (SciMetrika, LLC).

The State of Oral Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA