Follow-Up Phone Interviews and Attendance Motivation From A Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening

Zachary D Urdang; David H Rosales; QiLiang Chen; Ryan J Li; Peter E Andersen; Neil D Gross; Daniel R Clayburgh

doi:10.1177/0145561320940866

Follow-Up Phone Interviews and Attendance Motivation From A Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening

Ear Nose Throat J. 2022 Feb;101(2):89-94. doi: 10.1177/0145561320940866. Epub 2020 Jul 23.

Authors

Zachary D Urdang¹, David H Rosales², QiLiang Chen³, Ryan J Li⁴, Peter E Andersen⁴, Neil D Gross⁵, Daniel R Clayburgh⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
² Equity Internship Program, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
⁴ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
⁵ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

PMID: 32703031
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320940866

Abstract

Introduction: Head and Neck Cancer Awareness and Screening Programs (HNCASP) are popular community outreach events hosted by academic and community otolaryngology departments. However, long-term follow-up of participants is lacking.

Patients and methods: Participants of a HNCASP held at an academic cancer center prospectively filled out demographic and risk factor surveys followed by HNC screening examination. A phone interview was conducted for participants between 2012 and 2016 with suspicious findings to assess outcomes.

Results: Participants were largely Caucasian, female, and had health insurance, reflecting the setting at an academic medical center. Despite this, there were 156 (16.8%) positive screenings; 47 of these completed follow up interviews. Twelve (1.1% of all participants) cancer cases were confirmed.

Discussion: A significant proportion of HNCASP participants benefited from this screening opportunity. Education regarding HNC is the primary benefit and motivational factor for attendance of HNCASPs, although a significant subset of patients was identified that needed follow-up, and several cancers were detected.

Keywords: ENT; cancer; community outreach; head and neck cancer; health screening; otolaryngology; screening.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Early Detection of Cancer / psychology*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Humans
Interviews as Topic*
Male
Mass Screening / psychology*
Middle Aged
Motivation*
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors