# Knowledge about head and neck cancer among adolescents

## TL;DR

Adolescents have limited knowledge about head and neck cancer, suggesting a need for cancer education in school curricula to improve awareness and health habits.

## Contribution

The study identifies significant gaps in adolescent knowledge about head and neck cancer and advocates for integrating basic cancer education into biology classes.

## Key findings

- Only 29.9% of students identified HPV as a risk factor for head and neck cancer.
- 74.5% of students incorrectly identified the brain as an organ treated by head and neck surgery.
- 83.1% of students reported deficiencies in how cancer is taught in schools.

## Abstract

•Knowledge about head and neck cancer is lacking.•It is necessary to introduce in the curriculum basic cancer education in biology classes.•The expansion of acquirements about cancer can provide better care and the ability to identify risk factors, initial signs, and symptoms of the disease, as well as the incorporation of healthy habits in families because these students can propagate valid information in their environment.

Knowledge about head and neck cancer is lacking.

It is necessary to introduce in the curriculum basic cancer education in biology classes.

The expansion of acquirements about cancer can provide better care and the ability to identify risk factors, initial signs, and symptoms of the disease, as well as the incorporation of healthy habits in families because these students can propagate valid information in their environment.

To assess knowledge about head and neck cancer among adolescents from private schools, aged between 13 and22 years.

200 questionnaires were applied among students, about the profile of adolescents and their knowledge about head and neck neoplasms, treatment, and teaching in schools on this topic. The results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Only 55 students (29.9%) identified HPV as a risk factor for the disease. 137 students (74.5%) identified the brain as an organ treated by head and neck surgery. As for the therapeutic strategies used for the treatment of neoplasms in the region, only 67 students (36.4%) are aware. On the topic of teaching in schools, 153 students (83.1%) relate to some deficiency in the approach and learning.

Knowledge about head and neck cancer is insufficient. It is necessary to introduce in the curriculum basic cancer education in biology classes. The expansion of acquirements about cancer can provide better care and the ability to identify risk factors, initial signs, and symptoms of the disease, as well as the incorporation of healthy habits in families because these students can propagate valid information in their environment.

Level IV.