ORLANDO — Only 16% of adolescents are aware that there is a link between tobacco use and head and neck cancers, according to a survey of 51 respondents aged younger than 18 years.
“The two most common risk factors for head and neck cancers are tobacco use and alcohol consumption,” said Dr. Ajani Nugent of Emory University in Atlanta.
But few studies have examined awareness of head and neck cancer risk among children and adolescents, he said.
Dr. Nugent and his colleagues surveyed 139 medically underserved individuals during a community health screening that was offered at a transitional shelter. The participants who were surveyed included 51 adolescents aged younger than 18 years, 15 individuals aged 19–35 years, and 73 individuals aged 36 years and older. The results of the study were presented in a poster presentation at the Triological Society's Combined Sections Meeting.
Overall, 82% of the adolescent respondents reported that they were aware of the association between tobacco use and lung cancer. However, only 16% of the respondents were aware of a similar association between tobacco use and head and neck cancers, including cancers of the lips, mouth, salivary glands, and throat.
The survey findings are consistent with those from previous studies showing that a majority of the general public recognizes tobacco as a risk factor for lung cancer, but not for head and neck cancers, Dr. Nugent said at the meeting, which was jointly sponsored by the Triological Society and the American College of Surgeons.
In the current study, 53% of the adults aged 19–35 years and 31% of adults aged 36 years and older were aware that there is an association between tobacco use and head and neck cancers.
The study was limited by its small size and distinct population, but the results underscore the need to educate children and adolescents about the association between tobacco use and head and neck cancers, the researchers said.
“This is particularly important because of the well-known cumulative effects of tobacco on upper aerodigestive malignancies,” Dr. Nugent and his colleagues said.
Disclosures: Dr. Nugent and his associates reported having no relevant financial conflicts.
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