803 - Call for Increased Community Education Regarding Common HPV-Associated Cancers Within the Urban Safety-Net Hospital Population

Publication Number: 803.4528

Ekta Karkala, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Ishita Rai, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Ruchita Borgaonkar, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; Johane Seide, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States; Natalie Joseph, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States

Background: While oropharyngeal and cervical cancer rates were on a decline in the early 2000s, contraction and mortality rates from both cancers have increased per year over the past 2 decades, with the rate of oropharyngeal cancer now surpassing cervical cancer. This could be due to a lack of information/education about preventative measures and risk factors.

Objective: To examine patients’ knowledge of oropharyngeal cancer and its relation to cervical cancer and HPV to provide quantitative estimates of the need for basic education surrounding HPV-related cancers.

Design/Methods: We analyzed self-reported baseline survey data from 318 women aged 16-45 participating in an ongoing open-label, randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of two versus three doses of the HPV vaccine at Boston Medical Center. The survey evaluated participants’ knowledge of HPV,and the vaccine. We conducted descriptive statistics and used contingency tables with Fisher’s Exact Test to evaluate associations between oral and cervical cancer questions using SAS 9.4.

Results: Among 318 participants, the majority (84.69%) had heard of oral cancer but 48.55% were unsure if most oral cancers are caused by infection. While 62.41% recognized that the risk of oral cancer can be significantly lowered, only 41.04% were aware of a potential vaccine for prevention. 51.34% correctly identified infection as a leading cause of cervical cancer. However, 40.61% were uncertain about the cause of cervical cancer, highlighting areas where education is needed. In examining knowledge of infection-related causes for oral and cervical cancers, 80% of respondents correctly identified infections as a common cause for both. Additionally, 31.75% significantly expressed uncertainty regarding the infection-related causes of oral cancer but accurately identified for cervical cancer. In assessing knowledge about vaccines for oral and cervical cancers 72.06% were unsure about the availability of a vaccine for oral cancer but correctly identified for cervical cancer. Additionally, 57.14% significantly and mistakenly thought there was no vaccine for oral cancer while recognizing the vaccine for cervical cancer.

Conclusion(s): There is a great gap in knowledge and awareness regarding HPV, HPV vaccine and their association and prevention to oral cancer more than cervical cancer. These findings suggest that greater education regarding HPV and HPV vaccination would be a highly effective preventative measure to combat rising rates of oropharyngeal cancer over cervical cancer.