Neck Cancer Risk Factors Research Articles

EFFECT OF TOBACCO USE ON HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Nicotine is obtained from the leaves of the Nicotiana tabacum plant, belongs to the class of parasympathomimetic alkaloids, is metabolized by the liver, and because of its dopaminergic activity, it is very addictive. Head and neck cancer risk factors include alcohol and tobacco misuse by showing synergic effects. Smokeless tobacco products have been associated with oral cancer. This article explains how the active constituent of tobacco can cause head and neck cancer, which subtype can have a greater chance of becoming cancerous in head and neck cancer, and how we can prevent using tobacco.

Head and neck cancer risk factors in the French West Indies

ObjectivesThe incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the French West Indies (FWI) is relatively high, despite a low prevalence of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking. Little is known about other risk factors in the FWI. We assessed associations between several factors and HNSCC risk, their population attributable fractions (PAF) in the FWI, and compared these PAFs by subsite, sex and age.Materials and methodsWe conducted a population-based case-control study (145 cases and 405 controls). We used logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds-ratios (OR), PAFs and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsTobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, high-risk HPV, family history of HNC, low BMI and several occupations and industries were significantly associated to the occurrence of HNSCC. The majority of HNSCC cases were attributable to tobacco smoking (65.7%) and alcohol (44.3%). The PAF for the combined consumption of tobacco and/or alcohol was 78.2% and was considerably larger in men (85%) than in women (33%). The PAFs for the remaining risk factors were 9% for family history of HNSCC, 9% for low BMI, 15% for high-risk HPV, and 25% for occupations. The overall PAF for all risk factors combined was 89.0% (95% CI = 82.0–93.2). The combined PAFs by sex were significantly greater in men (93.4%, 95% CI = 87.5–96.5) than in women (56.4%, 95% CI = 18.7–76.6).ConclusionTobacco and alcohol appeared to have the greatest impact on HNSCC incidence among the studied risk factors, especially among men. Prevention programs for HNSCC in the FWI should target tobacco and alcohol cessation, particularly in men. Future research should emphasise on the role of occupational factors to better understand this disease.

Patient Awareness of Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors: Assessment of the General Otolaryngology Population

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.

Rising prevalence of head and neck cancer risk factors among Nigerian adolescents: A call for school-based intervention programmes

1. Mehanna H, Paleri V, West CML, Nutting C. Head and neck cancer – part 1: Epidemiology, presentation, and preservation. Clin Otolaryngol. 2011;36(1):65-68. doi:10.1111/j.1749-4486.2010.02231.x CrossRef Google Scholar

Environmental and behavioural head and neck cancer risk factors.

The high incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC), significantly associated with living environment and behaviour, can be prevented more efficiently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental and behavioural risk factors for HNC. Using a detailed questionnaire on social status, education, living and occupational environment exposures, family cancer and lifestyle, HNC patients (103 cases, 76.7% of men) were compared with control subjects (244 subjects, 73% of men) balanced by age: mean (standard deviation) 63.8 (9.3) and 63.8 (9.0) for cases and controls, respectively. The results of this study showed that smoking and low education were significant risk factors for HNC regardless of sex. Family HNC and breast cancer were significant predictors of HNC risk. The study confirmed previous results that smoking and low education are significantly associated with HNC. Additionally, results pointed to significant HNC and breast cancer risk in HNC patient's families that may have originated from passive smoking or a smoking habit stemming from social environments that support it. Better dissemination programmes regarding smoking risks for children and adults are needed, targeting not only individuals but also families.

Head and neck cancer risk factors in India: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionDemographic, behavioural and environmental factors have been associated with increased risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). We will review published reports and explore connections between risk factors and HNC...

An Overview and Comparative Evaluation of Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors in India and Australia

Aim: An overview and comparative evaluation of head and neck cancer risk factors in India and Australia. Method: In this review we included articles with information on head and neck cancer risk factors and its association based on: smoking tobacco, alcohol, smokeless tobacco, betel nut and areca nut chewing, viral infection like HPV, dental hygiene, diet, family history, socioeconomic status, other heavy metals and systemic conditions. Articles with clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were excluded. Results: Head and neck cancer in India has different demographic, risk factors, dietary habits, personal and family history. Oral cancer is more common amongst all head and neck squamous cell cancers in males. This is mainly attributed with consumption of a variety of smokeless tobacco, smoking, alcohol, poverty, illiteracy, cultural, advanced stage at presentation; lack of good treatment infrastructure creates main challenge to India as compared to Australia. Conclusion: The knowledge about risk factors for HNC in public health education for general population supports health promotion and tobacco prevention, which is the main aim of the programs started by the government, as head and neck cancers are potentially preventable.

Knowledge and screening of head and neck cancer among American Indians in South Dakota.

We established the level of awareness of risk factors and early symptoms of head and neck cancer among American Indians in South Dakota and determined whether head and neck cancer screening detected clinical findings in this population. We used the European About Face survey. We added questions about human papillomavirus, a risk factor for head and neck cancer, and demographics. Surveys were administered at 2 public events in 2011. Participants could partake in a head and neck cancer screening at the time of survey administration. Of the 205 American Indians who completed the survey, 114 participated in the screening. Mean head and neck cancer knowledge scores were 26 out of 44. Level of education was the only factor that predicted higher head and neck cancer knowledge (b = 0.90; P = .01). Nine (8%) people had positive head and neck cancer screening examination results. All abnormal clinical findings were in current or past smokers (P = .06). There are gaps in American Indian knowledge of head and neck cancer risk factors and symptoms. Community-based head and neck cancer screening in this population is feasible and may be a way to identify early abnormal clinical findings in smokers.

Tooth Loss and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundObservational studies suggest an association between tooth loss and risk of head and neck cancer. However, whether tooth loss is an independent risk factor for head and neck cancer still remains controversial. The aim of this study is to assess the association between tooth loss and head and neck cancer risk.MethodsEligible studies were searched in PubMed and Embase databases from their inception to March 2013. A random-effects model or fixed-effects model was used to calculate the overall combined risk estimates.ResultsEight case-control studies and one cross-sectional study involving 5,204 patients and 5,518 controls were included in the meta-analysis. The overall combined odds ratio for tooth loss and head and neck cancer was 2.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.28–3.14). Similar results yielded both in the moderate and severe tooth loss group. Sensitivity analysis based on various exclusion criteria maintained this significance with respect to head and neck cancer individually. Little evidence of publication bias was observed.ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that tooth loss is associated with increased risk of head and neck cancer. This increase is probably independent of conventional head and neck cancer risk factors.

Head and Neck Cancer Screening in Homeless Communities: HEAL (Health Education, Assessment, and Leadership

Homeless persons are at high risk for medical illness, particularly for head and neck cancers, but they face several barriers to receiving adequate health care. We conducted cancer screening and education about head and neck cancer risk factors in one such population (n = 325). Although 41.4% of the participants reported at least 1 otolaryngologic sign or symptom, and 8.6% reported having 2 or more symptoms, most of them (72.3%) had received no medical care. The symptom reported most often was a change in voice (17.2%). In all, 11% of the participants were referred for head or neck cancer evaluation, and 9% of those undergoing biopsy had a malignancy that was later treated. Nearly 75% of participants had at least a ninth-grade education. However, although 71.2% knew that the use of tobacco can lead to lung cancer, 78.9% did not recognize that it can also lead to head or neck cancer. In this population, cigarette smoking was associated with more than doubled odds of follow-up medical care (odds ratio, 2.31). Head and neck cancers cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Community outreach programs can be an excellent starting point to improving early detection and health education for underserved communities.

Association between bleomycin genotoxicity and non-constitutional risk factors for head and neck cancer

Sensitivity of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes to bleomycin clastogenicity is increased in patients with tumours in organs and tissues that are in direct contact with the external environment, such as the mucosa of the head and neck [5]. Sensitivity to bleomycin may reflect a genetically determined hypersensitivity to certain genotoxicants and therefore may be important in the carcinogenic process. In this study the applicability of bleomycin genotoxicity was investigated in cultured lymphocytes of forty individuals without a tumour history. No correlations were observed with increasing age or the well-known head and neck cancer risk factors alcohol and tobacco consumption. Since inter-individual variation in sensitivity greatly exceeded intra-individual variation, our results suggest that an elevated bleomycin clastogenicity score may identify individuals who have a constitutional hypersensitivity towards certain genotoxicants and may show an increased cancer susceptibility.