Patient Awareness of Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors: Assessment of
the General Otolaryngology Population
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The general public’s knowledge of the risk factors for head
and neck cancer is lacking. The otolaryngology clinic population level
of awareness has not yet been reported in the literature. DESIGN:
Individual cohort study SETTING: Tertiary academic center PARTICIPANTS:
We conducted an anonymous survey of all patients presenting to
otolaryngology clinic to assess knowledge of head and neck cancer risk
factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were
percentage of correct responses for each cancer risk factor and
comparison of percent correct between cancer and non-cancer patients.
RESULTS: A total of 510 patients were enrolled in the study including 69
patients (13.5%) with a history of head and neck cancer. The most well
recognized risk factors by all patients were cigarettes (83.7%) and
chewing tobacco (77.5%). Twenty-nine percent of patients correctly
identified alcohol as a risk factor. Additional risk factors were poorly
recognized. Cancer patients had a similar or better correct response
rate than non-cancer patients except for chewing tobacco (68.1% vs
78.9% respectively). CONCLUSION: The general otolaryngology clinic
population, especially patients with a history of head and neck cancer,
demonstrated improved knowledge of some risk factors for head and neck
cancer, but insufficient awareness of alcohol and HPV transmissible
behaviors.