Open AccessCancer Knowledge and Screening among American Indians
Author(s) -
Dwojak Sunshine M.,
Emerick Kevin S.,
Guadagnolo Beverly A.,
Sargent Michele,
Deschler Daniel G.,
Petereit Daniel G.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451426a76
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , demographics , human papilloma virus , cancer screening , head and neck , population , head and neck cancer , demography , family medicine , gerontology , cervical cancer , environmental health , surgery , sociology
Objective To establish the level of awareness of risk factors and early symptoms of head and neck cancer among American Indians (AI) in South Dakota, and to determine if a community‐based head and neck (H&N) cancer screening is an effective method to detect positive findings in this population. Method The European Head and Neck Society’s “About Face” survey was augmented with questions on demographics and human papilloma virus (HPV). Surveys were administered at 2 community events, and participants could choose to take part in a H&N cancer screening. Knowledge scores were created for correct responses to H&N cancer questions. Results A total of 223 people completed the survey, and 126 participated in the screening: 92% were American Indian, and 32% had pre‐existing knowledge of H&N cancer. Mean knowledge scores were 17 (61%) out of 28. Factors that predicted significantly higher H&N cancer knowledge were having or knowing someone with cancer ( P =. 002), race ( P =. 02), and education ( P =. 002). Fifty‐nine percent of participants had previous awareness of HPV, but only 36% believed that it was associated with H&N cancer. Ten (8%) people had positive findings on examination. The only significant predictor of a positive finding was smoking history, with all 10 findings being current or past smokers ( P =. 02). Conclusion There are gaps in AI knowledge of H&N cancer risk factors and early symptoms, particularly regarding the role of HPV. These results highlight the need for further public education. Community‐based H&N cancer screening in the AI community is an effective means to identify early findings in smokers.