Oral Cancer Educational Materials for the General Public:1998

Objective: Previous studies have shown that US adults are not well informed about oral cancers and only 15 percent ever have had an oral cancer examination. This study sought to determine the quantity and adequacy of educational materials designed to inform or educate US adults about risks for, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public health dentistry 2000-03, Vol.60 (1), p.49-52
Main Authors: Chung, Vicki, Horowitz, Alice M., Canto, Maria T., Siriphant, Piya
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Broadsides as Topic
Cancer Care Facilities
Dentistry
educational materials
Government Agencies
Health Education, Dental - methods
Humans
Mouth Neoplasms - diagnosis
Mouth Neoplasms - etiology
Mouth Neoplasms - prevention & control
oral cancer
Pharyngeal Neoplasms - diagnosis
Pharyngeal Neoplasms - etiology
public
Risk Factors
Self-Examination
Societies, Dental
Teaching Materials
Voluntary Health Agencies
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Summary:Objective: Previous studies have shown that US adults are not well informed about oral cancers and only 15 percent ever have had an oral cancer examination. This study sought to determine the quantity and adequacy of educational materials designed to inform or educate US adults about risks for, and signs and symptoms of, oral cancer and the need for an oral cancer examination. Methods: Letters requesting copies of oral cancer educational materials produced by the organization or agency—leaflets, fact sheets, pamphlets, videos, posters—were sent to 172 national and state organizations or agencies. To determine the adequacy of the items, a previously developed, tested, and used form based on current science was adapted for this study. In addition, the SMOG index was used to determine readability for printed items. Results: Seventy‐seven percent or 132 of the selected organizations responded to queries. A total of 59 items were received that focused on or included the topic of oral cancer. Twenty of these 59 items focused specifically on oral cancer; the balance, on other topics, but mentioned oral cancer. The readability ranged from sixth to 13th grade. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a dearth of educational materials about oral and pharyngeal cancers; most are written at too high a grade level for the general public. These findings may help to explain why the public is so uninformed about these neoplasms.
ISSN:0022-4006
1752-7325
DOI:10.1111/j.1752-7325.2000.tb03292.x