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.
Objective: The general public’s knowledge of the risk factors for head and neck cancer is insufficient. The level of awareness of such risk factors amongst the otolaryngology clinic patient population has not yet been elucidated in the literature. Method: This individual cohort study took place at a tertiary academic center. A survey was designed and administered to all patients who presented to otolaryngology clinic from 2017 to 2018 to assess knowledge of head and neck cancer risk factors. 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.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.