NIDCR campaign continues

Bethesda, Md.鈥擳he National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has added video and public service announcements to its ongoing campaign to educate African-American males about their risks for oral cancer.

The NIDCR originally launched the campaign, “Oral Cancer: What African-American Men Need To Know,” in late 2008 as part of the organization’s efforts to promote the early detection of oral cancer in that population group.

According to the NIDCR, African-American men have the highest risk for this particular cancer compared to any other group in the U.S. Where survival rates are concerned, just 36 percent of African-American males survive more than five years compared to 61 percent for white males over that same time period.

The brochure, Are You At Risk for Oral Cancer? What African-American Men Need to Know, addresses potential symptoms of oral cancer and also identifies the key risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus and age.

The NIDCR hopes that dentists will take advantage of the free brochures and other campaign materials and use them to talk with their patients about oral cancer.

“We started the campaign from scratch for this particular group,” said Karina Boehm, chief, Health Education Branch, NIDCR office of communications and health education.

According to Ms. Boehm, NIDCR focus groups with African-American men found that most participants weren’t familiar with oral cancer and those that were associated the disease mainly with Southern, white culture and smokeless tobacco use.

“The good news,” she said, “is that participants were eager to learn more about oral cancer.”

By visiting www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/OralCancer/, dentists can click on a link to order free brochures, fact sheets and posters. They can also call the NIDCR at 1-866-232-4528. The materials are also available in bulk at no charge for those dentists and health care professionals hosting community service and outreach events.