A survey of smoking status and cancer risk perceptions among participants attending a hospital-based head and neck screening program

Screening for head and neck cancer is underutilized. Given that lack of kno wledge of the risk factors may partially account for screening underutiliza tion, we surveyed subjective risk and knowledge of risk factors for head an d neck cancer among 124 individuals who attended a free, hospital-based hea d and neck cancer screening. Few participants were current smokers. Most at tendees perceived their risk as similar to others of their age and sex. Per sonal health habits comprised almost all of the risk-decreasing factors, ye t less than half of the risk-increasing factors, generated. Personal habits were less frequently endorsed than factors such as pollution and heredity. Those who mentioned a risk behavior, or a family cancer history, reported higher subjective risk. Those who mentioned a personal health habit reporte d lower subjective risk. Results highlight needed efforts to increase scree ning among high-risk individuals through targeted education messages.