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A Faith‐ and Community‐Based Approach to Identifying the Individual at Risk for Head and Neck Cancer in an Inner City
Author(s) -
Carter John M.,
Winters Ryan D.,
Lipin Rosa,
Lookabaugh Sara,
Cai David,
Friedlander Paul L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.23981
Subject(s) - medicine , outreach , head and neck cancer , cancer , population , cohort , demography , cohort study , family medicine , gerontology , environmental health , sociology , political science , law
Objectives/Hypothesis To perform a subset analysis of faith‐ and community‐based screening events to further identify at‐risk populations for head and neck cancer in hopes of further focusing screening efforts. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Three hundred fifty‐three individuals (n=353) presented to community events and self‐selected for head and neck cancer screenings. A subgroup analysis focusing on risk factors for the development of head and neck cancer and for poor overall prognosis was performed. Subgroups analyzed were individuals screened at church‐affiliated events, social events, or community outreach events at homeless shelters. Statistical analysis was performed using one‐tailed analysis of variance test. Results The outreach group had more risk factors for development of cancer, and a significantly higher proportion who used tobacco ( P <.05) and consumed >1 drink/day ( P <.05). Those in the outreach and church groups had a greater number of risk factors for a poor prognosis with and neck cancer in comparison with the social group: number of uninsured subjects ( P <.05), fewer subjects with private insurance ( P <.05), fewer subjects with a primary care provider ( P <.05), and more subjects with a reported barrier to care ( P <.05). Conclusions Inhabitants of homeless shelters represent a particularly vulnerable population for both the development and poor prognosis of head and neck cancer. Members of urban church groups are also an at‐risk subpopulation due to the prevalence of poor prognostic risk factors. These groups may benefit from future targeted screenings for head and neck cancer. Level of Evidence 2 b