KEY POINTS:
- Over 75% of otolaryngology patients are aware of the carcinogenic
effects of tobacco for head and neck cancer.
- Less than a third of ENT patients know alcohol is a risk factor for
head and neck cancer.
- With the rise in HPV related cancers, knowledge of the high risk
sexual behaviors associated with HPV head and neck cancer is poor.
- Patients with a history of head and neck cancer have mildly increased
awareness of risk factors for head and neck cancer including alcohol
and high risk sexual behavior.
- As an otolaryngology community, physicians need to intensify their
educational outreach to promote more widespread knowledge of the risk
factors for head and neck cancer.