Oral cancer in African Americans: addressing health disparities.
OBJECTIVE
To explore factors underlying African Americans' perceptions of oral cancer and the oral cancer exam. Study findings were used to guide development of oral cancer messages designed to increase oral cancer exams among African Americans.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted to understand African Americans' attitudes and expectations regarding oral cancer and oral cancer exams.


RESULTS
Respondents lacked knowledge of personal susceptibility to and the severity of a late-stage oral cancer diagnosis. Participants had limited knowledge of risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings point to the need for improved patient education and communication between the public and dental providers.
Dodd
Virginia J
VJ
Department of Health Education and Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. vdodd@hhp.ufl.edu
Watson
Jennifer M
JM
Choi
Youjin
Y
Tomar
Scott L
SL
Logan
Henrietta L
HL
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D035502:Trust