Cancer Knowledge and Screening among American Indians

Objective: To establish the level of awareness of risk factors and early symptoms of head and neck cancer among American Indians (AI) in South Dakota, and to determine if a community-based head and neck (H&N) cancer screening is an effective method to detect positive findings in this population.Method: The European Head and Neck Society’s “About Face” survey was augmented with questions on demographics and human papilloma virus (HPV). Surveys were administered at 2 community events, and participants could choose to take part in a H&N cancer screening. Knowledge scores were created for correct responses to H&N cancer questions.Results: A total of 223 people completed the survey, and 126 participated in the screening: 92% were American Indian, and 32% had pre-existing knowledge of H&N cancer. Mean knowledge scores were 17 (61%) out of 28. Factors that predicted significantly higher H&N cancer knowledge were having or knowing someone with cancer (P = .002), race (P = .02), and education (P = .002). Fifty-nin...