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Comparative Study
. 2006 Feb;137(2):203-12.
doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2006.0146.

Disparities in oral and pharyngeal cancer incidence, mortality and survival among black and white Americans

Douglas E Morse  1 , A Ross Kerr
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Disparities in oral and pharyngeal cancer incidence, mortality and survival among black and white Americans

Douglas E Morse et al. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006 Feb.

Erratum in

  • J Am Dent Assoc. 2006 Apr;137(4):447

Abstract

Background: The authors present statistics and long-term trends in oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) incidence, mortality and survival among U.S. blacks and whites.

Methods: The authors obtained incidence, mortality and five-year relative survival rates via the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program Web site. Current rates and time trends for 1975 through 2002 are presented.

Results: From 1975 through 2002, age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs) and mortality rates (AAMRs) were higher among males than among females and highest for black males. By the mid-1980s, incidence and mortality rates were declining for black and white males and females; however, disparities persisted. During the period 1998-2002, AAIRs were more than 20 percent higher for black males compared with white males, while the difference in rates for black and white females was small. AAMRs were 82 percent higher for black males compared with white males, but rates were similar for black and white females. Five-year relative survival rates for patients diagnosed during the period 1995-2001 were higher for whites than for blacks and lowest for black males.

Conclusions: Despite recent declines in OPC incidence and mortality rates, disparities persist. Disparities in survival also exist. Black males bear the brunt of these disparities.

Practice implications: Dentists can aid in reducing OPC incidence and mortality by assisting patients in the prevention and cessation of tobacco use and alcohol abuse. Five-year relative survival may be improved through early detection.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age-specific incidence rates for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx by age, sex and race in nine Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program registries, 1998–2002.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Age-specific mortality rates for cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx by age, sex and race in the United States, 1998–2002.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Age-adjusted incidence rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer by race and sex for all ages in nine Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program registries, 1975–2002.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Age-adjusted mortality rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer by race and sex for all ages in the United States, 1975–2002.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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