1. Head & Neck Cancer and HPV: An Unknown Entity among a High-Risk Student Population
Authors: McNamara, A., Fapohunda, O., Ezzat, A., Keogh, IJ.
Affiliations: National University of Ireland, Galway
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UCHG, Galway
Introduction
Results
Analysis
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a worldwide health issue that receives little attention. This is despite that between the US and Europe, it causes 76,500 deaths per year(1). Recent studies suggest up to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)(2), yet public awareness of HPV and its association with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is lacking.
Have you heard the term Head & Neck Cancer?
Have you heard of Human Papilloma Virus?
HNC is virtually unknown among both genders, with only 33% of males, and 39% of females, having heard the term.
Only 43% of males and 61% of females have ever heard of HPV.
When you exclude the Health Sciences students, the total percentage of people who have heard of HPV falls to 47%.
25% of males and 34% of females are aware of how they might be exposed to HPV.
This is despite 79%of males and 94% of females having heard of the vaccination programme in schools.
However, only 30% of males and 50% of females know that this vaccine is actually vaccinating against HPV.
Only 19% of males and 23% of females are aware of the potential benefit in vaccinating males also.
Despite this, 84%of males are open to receiving a vaccine, and 89% of females think males should also be vaccinated.
Objective
Our aim is to investigate the extent of knowledge within a high risk, and relevant cohort of Irish students in order to determine if there is more that can be done to raise awareness of the risk factors of HNC to curb the increasing incidence of HPV-related HNC, which is expected to surpass the incidence of cervical cancer by the year 2020(3).
Majority were unable to correctly identify risk factors for contracting HPV:
Methods
A self-designed, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all registered students of NUIG (17,000 approx. sample size) via , using a survey provider platform, allowing for a qualitative analysis of responses. Ethical approval was granted by GUH’s Clinical Research Ethics Committee.
Conclusions
Not only are this high risk group unaware of the existence of HNC, they also do not know the associated role of HPV.
Students are ignorant of the risk factors for contracting HPV.
69% are unaware that HPV is an STI, which demonstrates a worrying lack of knowledge among at risk Irish students.
A minority are aware of what is really being vaccinated against with the “cervical cancer” vaccine.
The potential protection available to males is not being discussed enough, despite a vast majority believing they should be vaccinated.
Do you know how you might be exposed to HPV?
Demographics
1494 Completed responses used for statistical analysis
Did you know the “Cervical Cancer Vaccine” protects against HPV?
Did you know this vaccine could benefit males too?
Recommendations
Implement a national campaign to raise the profile of HNC and its risk factors in Ireland.
Facilitate the introduction of more information about HPV on multiple platforms so as to best educate people of its potential dangers and how to minimise their risk.
Consider a rebranding of the “cervical cancer vaccine” to allow discussion about HPV as an independent entity which contributes to other cancers, especially HNC.
Males need to be included as part of future discussions on HPV, as currently they are being overlooked.
The consideration of widening the current vaccination profile to vaccinate boys also, which would have significant clinical and economic benefits.
Average 24yrs Min 17yrs
Median 21yrs Max 63yrs
Male’s Opinion on Being Vaccinated:
Female’s Opinion on Male Vaccination:
Gender Area of Study
References
Lewis et al. Oncology (Williston Park) 2015;29(9):616–26.
O’Sullivan et al. Lancet Oncol 2016;17(4):440–51.
Chaturvedi et al. J Clin Oncol. American Society of Clinical Oncology; 2011;29(32):4294–301