Prevention of HPV-Related Oral Cancer by Dentists: Assessing the Opinion of Dutch Dental Students

The aim of this study is to assess dental students’ opinions of the dentists’ role in primary prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oral cancer using a cross-sectional web-based survey. A questionnaire, containing questions about knowledge of HPV and oral cancer, confidence in head and neck examination and role of the dentist in preventing HPV-related oral cancer, was sent to all students of the Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam (n = 912). One hundred and twenty-six (n = 126) students completed the questionnaire. Significantly, more master students (75%) than bachelor students (54.3%) were aware that HPV is a causative factor for oral cancer. Master students had more knowledge of HPV than bachelor students, but knowledge about HPV vaccination was irrespective of the study phase. The majority of dental students agreed that it is important to discuss HPV vaccination with patients. Eighty-nine percent of the students think that more education about symptoms of oral cancer will increase screening for oral cancer. Development of a protocol for screening in dental practices was considered even more important. According to dental students, dentists should discuss HPV as a risk factor for oral cancer with patients. Future dentists are willing to be involved in both primary and secondary prevention of HPV-related oral cancer. Therefore, screening for oral cancer and education about HPV vaccination should be integral elements of the dental curriculum

Disparities in Screening for Head and Neck Cancer: Evidence from the NHANES, 2011-2014

Objective To measure the association between race and head and neck cancer screening and education. Study Design Nationally representative survey. Setting US National Center for Health Statistics. Subjects and Methods Pooled data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to examine disparities in head and neck cancer education and screening among US citizens aged ≥18 years. We measured the association between race and head and neck cancer education and screening, adjusting for age, sex, education, income, and health insurance. Subtype analyses were performed on ever smokers, a lifetime consumption of ≥100 cigarettes, and nonsmokers, a lifetime consumption of <100 cigarettes. Results Among smokers, only 20.2% were educated about the benefits of giving up cigarette smoking; 27.7% had ever received an oral cancer screening examination in which a doctor or dentist pulls on the tongue; and 24.8% had ever had a screening examination in which a doctor or dentist feels the neck. As compared with white smokers, nonwhite smokers were significantly less likely to receive an oral cancer screening examination in which the tongue was pulled (black smokers: odds ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.31-0.63). Although 72.2% of screenings of white participants were performed by dentists, black participants were more often screened by a physician (36.4%) as compared with any other race. Conclusion This study highlights socioeconomic disparities in head and neck cancer screening and education. We advocate increased patient screening and education by primary care physicians, especially for nonwhite patients and patients with relevant risk factors

The immune system and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: from carcinogenesis to new therapeutic opportunities

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) exhibit complex interactions with the host immune system that may simultaneously explain resistance to various therapeutic modalities and that may also provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Discoveries in immunologic research over the last decade have led to an increased understanding of these interactions as well as the development of a multitude of investigational immunotherapies. Here, we describe the interaction between HNSCC and the immune system, including a discussion of immune cells involved with tumor carcinogenesis and the role of immune-modulating factors derived from tumors. We also describe the current immunotherapeutic approaches being investigated for HNSCC, including a discussion of the successes and limitations. With this review, we hope to present HNSCC as a model to guide future research in cancer immunology