Awareness of head and neck cancer – a multicentre survey among young respondents in Poland

Exostoisns (EXT1/2) in Head and Neck Cancers: An In Silico Analysis and Clinical Correlates

OBJECTIVES

The exostosins (EXT), which are responsible for heparan sulfate backbone synthesis and play a vital role in tissue homeostasis, have been reported to be correlated with prognosis of various cancers. However, the expression, prognostic value, and immune infiltration of EXT1 and EXT2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remain uncertain.

METHODS

GEPIA, UALCAN, and Xiantao bioinformatics tools were used to explore the EXT1 and EXT2 expression level in HNSC. GEPIA and Sangerbox were utilised to obtain the prognostic value of EXT1 and EXT2 in HNSC. Genetic alterations, immune cell infiltration, and single-cell analysis were conducted in cBioPortal, TIMER, and TISCH2. In addition, the expressions of EXT1 and EXT2 were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in HNSC samples.

RESULTS

EXT1 and EXT2 were highly expressed in HNSC, especially in malignant cells. Only EXT2 was significantly negatively correlated to the prognosis of patients with HNSC. EXT1 and EXT2 were found to be associated with focal adhesin and cell adhesin molecule binding. EXT1 expression levels were considerably connected with CD8+ T cell infiltrating levels, whilst EXT2 expression levels were considerably negatively connected with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in HNSC. The gene mutation rates of EXT1 and EXT2 in HNSC were 7% and 2.8%, respectively. Moreover, EXT2 was validated to be highly expressed in HNSC samples by real-time PCR.

CONCLUSION

EXT2 was highly expressed and presented negative correlation with the prognosis and immune infiltration of HNSC, which might be a potential biomarker for HNSC.

Awareness of Head and Neck Cancers: A 2021 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in Poland

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are the seventh most common cancers worldwide. Early diagnosis of HNC is associated with better outcomes. This study aimed to assess public awareness of HNC among adults in Poland, with particular emphasis on awareness of HNC symptoms and risk factors for HNC. This cross-sectional study was carried out in November 2021 on a nationwide, representative sample of 1082 inhabitants of Poland aged 18 years and over. The computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) technique was used. Most of the respondents rated their knowledge of head and neck cancers as “a little” (40.8%) or “nothing at all” (30%). The most identified symptoms were a lump in the neck (57.9%) and swelling or a lump in the throat (51.8%). The most identified risk factor for HNC was smoking cigarettes/tobacco (63.1%). Excessive alcohol consumption and HPV infection were correctly identified as risk factors by about one-third of respondents. Public awareness of selected symptoms of HNC and risk factors for HNC differed by sociodemographic factors, of which the educational level was the most important factor associated with awareness of head and neck cancers (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated low public awareness of head and neck cancers among adults in Poland.

Evaluation of head and neck cancer knowledge among the at-risk population of Karachi, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of head and neck cancers (HNCs), their risk factors, signs and symptoms among the general public of Karachi, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, 503 individuals were approached for data collection, out of which 404 fit the inclusion criteria (response rate = 80.03%). Nonprobability convenience sampling was utilized to select participants who fell under the age group of 15–60 years, barring the fields of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelors of Dentistry (BDS). Knowledge was evaluated by a 9-item questionnaire, the scores of which yielded the following interpretations: No (0), low (1–3), moderate (4–6) and high (7–9) knowledge.

Findings

Of the 404 participants who completed the questionnaire, 357 (88.4%) participants claimed to be aware of HNC. The HNC knowledge scores had a statistical relevance with socioeconomic status (p = <0.01) and level of education (p = 0.02). Most participants recognized a “lump or swelling in the throat” (87.1%) as the most common symptom, followed by “bleeding in mouth or throat” (84.7%). Surprisingly, 75.25% of participants thought HNCs were inclusive of brain cancer.

Originality/value

Overall, knowledge of HNCs among the general public of Karachi surpasses the knowledge in other regions around the world. Our study demonstrated that people indulge in unhealthy habits despite having sufficient knowledge and this warrants prompt interventions and counseling of the people.

A roadmap of six different pathways to improve survival in laryngeal cancer patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Laryngeal cancer continues to require improvement in earlier stage diagnosis and better imaging delineation of disease, and hence 'more evidence-based' selection of treatment, as recent evidence suggests that related mortality, in the last decades, has not significantly decreased worldwide. Even though the reasons are not fully understood, there persists an urgency for a review and development of future strategies to embrace such clinical and diagnostic challenges from a political, societal, as well as scientific and clinical points of view.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review of the published literature suggests that survival improvement in laryngeal cancer may be achieved by fuelling and combining at least some or all of six targeted agendas: documentation of disease global incidence and national burden monitoring; development and implementation of high-quality cancer registries; education on risk factors and hazardous habits associated with laryngeal cancer for the general population; active modification of proven at-risk population lifestyles; centralization of treatment; and use of machine learning of gathered 'big data' and their integration into approaches for the optimization of prevention and treatments strategies.

SUMMARY

Laryngeal cancer should be tackled on several fronts, commencing with disease monitoring and prevention, up to treatment optimisation. Available modern resources offer the possibility to generate significant advances in laryngeal cancer management. However, each nation needs to develop a comprehensive approach, which is an essential prerequisite to obtain meaningful improvement on results.

Adolescents' Perceptions About Cancer and Preferences for Cancer Education

BACKGROUND

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death within the United States. Adolescence remains a critical stage of development in which new cognitive skills and lifestyle factors related to cancer are acquired. It is critical to understand adolescents' knowledge of cancer and preferences for receiving clear and easy-to-comprehend information about cancer and cancer prevention. The purpose of this study was to explore adolescents' perceptions of cancer and cancer risk factors and identify their preferences for receiving cancer prevention education.

METHODS

The survey used in this study was based on the Health Belief Model framework, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and the Cancer, Clear & Simple (CC&S) Curriculum. The survey evaluated adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and health-related behaviors regarding cancer and cancer prevention among adolescents. Three Midwestern middle and high schools were recruited, and 235 students completed the survey. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Study participants had some basic knowledge of cancer; however, only 66% recognized that individuals have control over their risk of developing cancer. Participants (95%) reported that cancer prevention was important, yet only 37.3% stated they knew how to lower their risk of getting cancer and 50% indicated that they currently try to make decisions that lower their chances of getting cancer. About 82% stated that an educational game would be a useful tool to learn about cancer and prevention.

CONCLUSION

Study findings indicate the need for an increase in adolescent knowledge of cancer, specifically how they can control their cancer risk, and prevention strategies through development of game-based education to teach adolescents about cancer-related topics.

HPV Knowledge and Attitudes Among Medical and Professional Students at a Nevada University: A Focus on Oropharyngeal Cancer and Mandating the Vaccine

Medical professionals and students often feel as if they do not have enough understanding of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in order to recommend or obtain vaccination themselves. A 25-question online survey regarding knowledge and attitudes about the HPV vaccine was distributed among professional students, including all classes of medical students, at a Nevada university. First- and second-year medical students were administered the same survey 1 week after a new vaccine workshop. One third of respondents were aware of the link between HPV and oropharyngeal cancer, and 63% believed that the HPV vaccine should be mandatory. Reported full vaccination status (OR = 2.63 compared with no vaccination, 95% CI = 1.53, 4.53), awareness of the link to oropharyngeal cancer (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.29), and female sex (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.00, 2.70) positively predicted whether a student believed the HPV vaccine should be mandatory. After an interactive workshop, first- and second-year medical students improved on HPV knowledge questions, comfort in HPV vaccine counseling, and having enough information to counsel on the HPV vaccine. Post-test knowledge scores surpassed those of current third- and fourth-year medical students, who never underwent such curriculum. Medical, physician assistant, graduate, and undergraduate students lack HPV knowledge, with a low percentage aware of oropharyngeal cancer as a result of HPV infection. An interactive curriculum implemented for first- and second-year medical students improved knowledge and comfort in counseling on HPV vaccination.