Awareness of Head and Neck Cancers: A 2021 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in Poland.

Wojciech Pinkas,Mateusz Jankowski,Waldemar Wierzba

doi:10.3390/jcm11030538

Abstract

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are the seventh most common cancers worldwide. Early diagnosis of HNC is associated with better outcomes. This study aimed to assess public awareness of HNC among adults in Poland, with particular emphasis on awareness of HNC symptoms and risk factors for HNC. This cross-sectional study was carried out in November 2021 on a nationwide, representative sample of 1082 inhabitants of Poland aged 18 years and over. The computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique was used. Most of the respondents rated their knowledge of head and neck cancers as “a little” (40.8%) or “nothing at all” (30%). The most identified symptoms were a lump in the neck (57.9%) and swelling or a lump in the throat (51.8%). The most identified risk factor for HNC was smoking cigarettes/tobacco (63.1%). Excessive alcohol consumption and HPV infection were correctly identified as risk factors by about one-third of respondents. Public awareness of selected symptoms of HNC and risk factors for HNC differed by sociodemographic factors, of which the educational level was the most important factor associated with awareness of head and neck cancers (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated low public awareness of head and neck cancers among adults in Poland.

Highlights

Academic Editor: Alexandre BozecHead and neck cancers (HNC) are still a current and important problem in daily otolaryngological practice [1,2]
The most identified risk factor for HNC was smoking cigarettes/tobacco and only one-third of respondents were aware that excessive alcohol consumption and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may lead to HNC
Public awareness of selected symptoms of HNC and risk factors for HNC differed by sociodemographic factors, of which the educational level was the most important factor associated with awareness of head and neck cancers

Summary

Introduction

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are still a current and important problem in daily otolaryngological practice [1,2]. 600,000 new HNC cases are diagnosed in the world every year [3,4,5]. In 2018, head and neck cancers were the seventh most common cancer worldwide [1]. It is estimated that HNC accounts for approximately 6% of all cancer cases and approximately 5% of cancer-related deaths worldwide [3,4,5]. Head and neck cancer is 2–4 times more common in males [6].

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