Abstract
Screening examinations were conducted at a Chinese community health fair in Houston, Texas, to identify individuals with oral leukoplakia for a chemoprevention trial of oral‐cavity squamous cell carcinoma. All 161 volunteer participants were interviewed regarding age, smoking habits, and betel‐nut and alcohol use. The screening included an examination of the oral cavity, orophar‐ynx, and neck. One participant had a 1‐mm area of oral leukoplakia on the right lateral surface of the oral tongue. Eighteen participants had other head and neck abnormalities. Only 12 participants (7.5%) were active smokers, and eight (5%) reported a prior history of smoking. One participant reported prior betel‐nut use. The mean age was 55 years. The authors conclude that a venue such as this has a low yield for screening and recruitment of high‐risk individuals for chemoprevention of oral‐cavity squamous cell carcinoma, that generally health‐conscious individuals attend health fairs, and that only a small percentage volunteer for oral screening.