Decoding the Awareness Gap
How much do women in Italy know about the link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)? This is the question that the study, Investigating women’s awareness and perceptions on human papillomavirus infection and oropharyngeal cancer in Italy, aims to answer.
The Source Article Details
Investigating women's awareness and perceptions on human papillomavirus infection and oropharyngeal cancer in Italy by Giovanna Paduano et al. in 2023.
The Source Article's Abstract
Introduction
This study explored knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) among women attending primary care services.
Methods
The cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2022 in adult women attending three primary care services in Italy, who were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire.
Results
Overall, 34.7% of participants know that OPC is HPV-associated; knowledge was higher among women who had personal, familiar or friends' experience of cancer, and who reported to often seek dental care, whereas it was lower in older women.
The Source Article References
- Gender-neutral HPV vaccination in the UK, rising male oropharyngeal cancer rates, and lack of HPV awareness by Lechner, 2019 in Lancet Infect Dis
- The prevalence of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal cancer is increasing regardless of sex or race, and the influence of sex and race on survival is modified by human papillomavirus tumor status by Faraji, 2019 in Cancer
- Recommendations for determining HPV status in patients with oropharyngeal cancers under TNM8 guidelines: a two-tier approach by Craig, 2019 in Br J Cancer
- Evolution of the oropharynx Cancer epidemic in the United States: moderation of increasing incidence in younger individuals and shift in the burden to older individuals by Tota, 2019 in J Clin Oncol
- Age-independent increasing prevalence of human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal carcinomas in north-East Italy by del Mistro, 2020 in Sci Rep
- The evolution of the epidemiological landscape of head and neck cancer in Italy: is there evidence for an increase in the incidence of potentially HPV-related carcinomas? by Boscolo-Rizzo, 2018 in PLoS One
- Effect of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on Oral HPV infections among young adults in the United States by Chaturvedi, 2018 in J Clin Oncol
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the Quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults aged 27 years or older: AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol A5298 by Wilkin, 2018 in Clin Infect Dis
- Could the human papillomavirus vaccination be cost-effective in males for the prevention of oropharyngeal cancer? by Isaranuwatchai, 2014 in Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res
- Reduced prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) 4 years after bivalent HPV vaccination in a randomized clinical trial in Costa Rica by Herrero, 2013 in PLoS One
- The impact of HPV vaccination on the prevention of oropharyngeal cancer: a scoping review by Kaczmarczyk, 2022 in Community Dent Health
- Human papillomavirus vaccine to end oropharyngeal Cancer. A systematic review and Meta-analysis by Tsentemeidou, 2021 in Sex Transm Dis
- The impact of HPV vaccination on the prevalence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) in a hospital-based population: a cross-sectional study of patient's registry by Katz, 2021 in J Oral Pathol Med
- Human papillomavirus and diseases of the upper airway: head and neck cancer and respiratory papillomatosis by Gillison, 2012 in Vaccine
- Human papilloma virus vaccination and oropharyngeal Cancer: knowledge, perception and attitude among Italian pediatric dentists by Cantile, 2022 in Int J Environ Res Public Health
- Assessing dentists' human papillomavirus-related health literacy for oropharyngeal cancer prevention by Vázquez-Otero, 2018 in J Am Dent Assoc
- Exploring awareness, attitudes, and perceived role among oral health providers regarding HPV-related oral cancers by Daley, 2011 in J Public Health Dent
- Discussing HPV with oropharyngeal cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey of attitudes in health professionals by Dodd, 2017 in Oral Onc
- Awareness of the link between human papillomavirus and oral cancer in UK university students by Dodd, 2021 in Prev Med
- Knowledge, practice, and awareness of Oral Cancer and HPV infection among dental students and residents: a cross-sectional study by Murariu, 2022 in Medicina (Kaunas)
Citing the Source Article (APA)
Paduano, G., Vaienna, S., Maisto, G., Di Giuseppe, G., Pavia, M. (2023). Investigating women's awareness and perceptions on human papillomavirus infection and oropharyngeal cancer in Italy. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1195588
The Methodology Unveiled
The study is a cross-sectional survey conducted among adult women attending primary care services in Italy. It uses self-administered questionnaires to gauge the level of awareness and attitudes towards HPV and OPC.
Key Findings
- Only 34.7% of the participants were aware that OPC is HPV-associated.
- Older women were less informed compared to their younger counterparts.
- Personal or familial experience with cancer seemed to increase awareness.
Implications for Public Health
The study reveals a significant gap in awareness, particularly among older women. This has serious implications for public health strategies aimed at prevention and early detection of OPC.
It also highlights the potential role that dentists could play in educating their patients about HPV and OPC.
What are your thoughts on the findings of this study? Do you think the healthcare system is doing enough to educate women about HPV and OPC? Feel free to leave a comment below.