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Oral Cancer Risk Perception among Participants in an Oral Cancer Screening Program

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021 [J. L. H., J. S. O.]; New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York 10010 [G. D. C., R. Z. L.]; and New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, Office of Oral Health, Programs and Policy for New York City, New York, New York 10007 [H. K., D. M. F.]

Oral cancer screening provides an opportunity for early detection and for education to high-risk tobacco and alcohol users. To plan interventions that would motivate oral cancer screening and risk reduction, we surveyed oral cancer risk perception and risk behaviors among participants in a free oral-cancer screening. Participants (N = 803) were racially diverse; 43% had a history of smoking and 9%, a history of alcohol abuse. Current smokers and those with higher lifetime tobacco exposure perceived themselves to be at higher risk for cancer than nonsmokers or those with less lifetime tobacco exposure (all ps, <0.01). Alcohol use was unrelated to oral cancer risk perception (p > 0.05). Compared with women, men (p = 0.01) felt more at risk; compared with other racial groups, Asians (p < 0.05) felt less at risk. Demographic differences were explained by differences in risk behaviors. Current smoking status (beta, 0.196; p < 0.001) and level of tobacco exposure (beta, 0.100; p < 0.05) were the only significant independent predictors of heightened risk perception (R² = 0.09). Those with alcohol abuse histories, and older smokers, may need increased education. These findings support the need for health education materials that incorporate the oral cancer risk perception of high-risk individuals.

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