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Detroit Oral Cancer Prevention Project (DOCPP)

This research has concluded.

Results and resources from this project are available below:

The Detroit Oral Cancer Prevention Project (DOCPP) was established with the following specific aims:

This project focuses on African-American males in the city of Detroit and Wayne County who have the highest age-adjusted oral cancer incidence rate in the US in 2000 (US Cancer Statistics Working Group, 2003). Oral cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in African-American males. Moreover, African Americans older than 65 years have the highest rates of smoking and use of alcohol in Michigan. In 2001, African-American males had slightly higher percentage of current smokers than white or Hispanic males (MMWR, 2003). Additionally, recent studies found that 99% of the excess incidence in African-American males of esophageal and pancreatic cancer can be explained by low income, moderate/heavy alcohol intake, tobacco use, and infrequent consumption of fruits and vegetables (Brown et al. 2001; Silverman 2003). In Detroit, 45.8% and 38.1% of adults aged 55 years or older currently smoke or drink alcohol, respectively (data obatined from the University of Michigan Detroit Area Study). Our analysis also found that the about 45% of all deaths related to oral cancer in the 1990s in Michigan were clustered in Detroit/Wayne County (Detroit area).

The specific aim of this project is to achieve the following Healthy People 2010 Objectives:

Objective 3-6: Reduce the oropharyngeal cancer death rate (from an average of 4.5 in 2000 to 2.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2010).

Objective 21-6: Increase the proportion of oral and pharyngeal cancer detected at an early stage to 50% (average rates in Wayne county (1990-2000) was 30.4%).

Objective 21-7: Increase the proportion of adults who, in the past 12 months, report having had an examination to detect oral and pharyngeal cancers (20% in 2010; rates in 1998 were 7% for AA and 14% for WA).

The project evaluates the effectiveness of an integrated program to promote screening for oral cancer and reduction in tobacco and alcohol use in the Detroit/Wayne County area: 

  • A two-year mass media campaign to promote screening for oral cancer and reduction in use of tobacco and alcohol (substance abuse).
  • A network of screening clinics available five days per week.
  • A toll-free (800) hotline to provide information on oral cancer and schedule adults for screening.
  • A community outreach program that will provide small-group educational sessions.  Additionally, sessions will be organized for two walk-in clinics for adults with substance abuse and a senior citizens center operated by the Neigborhood Service Organization.
  • Reminder post-cards for healthcare and dental providers in Detroit: the postcards will emphasize the importance of screening all adults for signs and symptoms of oral cancer and refer the providers to the project online resource center. The postcards will be mailed four times per year during the first two years (intervention period).
  • A continuing medical and dental education program for healthcare and dental providers in Detroit: the program will also be available online.