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Increasing screening intentions for oral and pharyngeal cancer
Henrietta L Logan1, James A Shepperd, Elizabeth Pomery
1Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, Southeast Center for Research to Reduce Disparities in Oral Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-32608, USA. hlogan@dental.ufl.edu
Background:
Oral and pharyngeal cancer is a serious health threat that goes unnoticed by most people. Increasing screenings for oral and pharyngeal cancer is essential to achieving early detection when the disease is most treatable.
Purpose:
We tested the effectiveness of a media campaign designed to increase intentions to seek an oral and pharyngeal cancer screening. We further examined whether concern and knowledge of oral and pharyngeal cancer mediated screening intentions.
Methods:
Participants in the intervention condition received messages on posters, handheld fans, pamphlets, and magnets displayed on the sides of cars or trucks. Participants in the intervention and comparison conditions (N = 1,790) were surveyed prior to and after the intervention.
Results:
Intervention participants reported greater intentions to seek free oral and pharyngeal cancer screenings. Concern about oral and pharyngeal cancer partially mediated the effect whereas knowledge did not.
Conclusions:
Our media campaign successfully increased screening intentions by heightening concerns.
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