Adolescent awareness of risk factors associated with head and neck cancer vs lung cancer.

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge base of adolescents as it relates to their awareness of tobacco use being a major risk factor for the development of malignancies of the head and neck. To gain a more comprehensive perspective, we compared this to their knowledge of the association of tobacco and lung cancer. Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey given to participants at community health screening. A total of 139 participants were included, of which 36.7% were under the age of 18 years old. Participants were asked to indicate if they were aware of the effects of tobacco and lung cancer, as well as tobacco and head and neck cancer. The results showed that 82.4% were able to identify tobacco as a risk factor for lung cancer, while only 15.7% made a similar association with head and neck cancer. These results highlight the need for increased awareness in the vulnerable population.