Table 2.
Respondents’ knowledge regarding the symptoms of head and neck cancers and risk factors for head and neck cancers (n = 1082).
| Overall (n = 1082) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Variable | n | % |
| What do you think are the symptoms of head and neck cancers? (multiple-choice format; positive answers) | ||
| Correct answers | ||
| lump in neck | 626 | 57.9 |
| swelling or lump in the throat | 561 | 51.8 |
| pain or trouble swallowing | 425 | 39.3 |
| chronic sore throat | 411 | 38.0 |
| bleeding in the mouth or throat | 410 | 37.9 |
| chronic hoarseness | 408 | 37.7 |
| numbness of tongue, mouth or lip | 373 | 34.5 |
| red or white sores in the oral cavity that do not heal | 316 | 29.2 |
| ear pain | 265 | 24.5 |
| nasal bleeding | 259 | 23.9 |
| persistent stinging of the tongue | 200 | 18.5 |
| blocked nose on one side | 137 | 12.7 |
| Incorrect answers | ||
| headache | 539 | 49.8 |
| dizziness | 491 | 45.4 |
| increase in appetite | 20 | 1.8 |
| What do you think are the risk factors for head and neck cancers? (multiple-choice format; positive answers) | ||
| Correct answers | ||
| smoking cigarettes/tobacco | 683 | 63.1 |
| excessive alcohol consumption | 364 | 33.6 |
| HPV infection | 352 | 32.5 |
| excessive sunbathing | 303 | 28.0 |
| diet low in fruits | 169 | 15.6 |
| Incorrect answers | ||
| tooth decay | 280 | 25.9 |
| smoking marijuana | 198 | 18.3 |
| biting cheeks | 129 | 11.9 |
| eating spicy or fatty foods | 123 | 11.4 |
| frequent talking on cell phone | 103 | 9.5 |