RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN STAGE AT DIAGNOSIS OF SCREENABLE ORAL CANCERS IN NORTH-CAROLINA

Objective: This study examined differences between blacks and whites i n stage at diagnosis of screenable oral cancers, Methods: Data for 1,1 37 North Carolina residents with first primary tumors of the oral cavi ty (excluding the lip and salivary glands) or oropharynx diagnosed fro m 1990-92 were obtained from the North Carolina Central Cancer Registr y. The outcome variable was stage at diagnosis dichotomized as localiz ed and advanced. The explanatory variables were race, sex, age, year d iagnosed, tumor site, and county-level socioeconomic and health care r esource factors. Bivariate, stratified, and multiple regression analys es were conducted. Results: In the regression analysis, the odds of ad vanced stage was 2.1 (95% Cl=1.5, 2.9) times greater for blacks than w hites. Other multivariable effects were sex [males compared to females : OR=1.5 (95% Cl=1.2, 2.0)] and tumor site [oropharynx compared to pal ate: OR=4.2 (95% Cl=2.5, 7.0)]. Conclusion: Among black and white resi dents of North Carolina diagnosed with cancer of the era! cavity or or opharynx, blacks had a greater odds of diagnosis at advanced stage.