Emerging Disparities in Prevention and Survival Outcomes for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer and Recommendations for Health Equity

Abstract

Purpose of Review The aim of this review is to describe less known and emerging disparities found in the prevention and survival outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) that are likely to play an increasingly important role in HNC outcomes and health inequities. Recent Findings The following factors contribute to HNC incidence and outcomes: (1) the effect of rurality on prevention and treatment of HNC, (2) dietary behavior and nutritional factors influencing the development of and survival from HNC, and (3) barriers and benefits of telehealth for patients with HNC. Summary Rurality, nutrition and diet, and telehealth usage and access are significant contributors to the existing health disparities associated with HNC. Population and culturally specific interventions are urgently needed as well as more research to further define the issues and develop appropriate population and individual level solutions.

Geographic Disparities in Head and Neck Cancer Mortality and Place of Death

“…In this cross-sectional study, rural residents with HNC experienced higher mortality rates and less annual improvement compared to urban counterparts. Multilevel barriers may explain the widening rural-urban mortality gap, including alcohol and tobacco use and lower human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates . Rural residents are often diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (III/IV) and have limited access to multidisciplinary oncologic care; health insurance, income, and education also likely contribute .…”

“…5 For this patient, clinical diagnoses of cutaneous angioma in the perinatal period and venous malformation 38 years later were reported at the same anatomical location, the latter occurring 4 years before the diagnosis of AS. The immunohistochemical negativity for glucose transporter 1, which is typical of congenital hemangiomas, 4 together with the anamnestic congenital angioma, suggested a malignant evolution of a congenital malformative vascular lesion into AS during a 40-year period in the absence of radiation exposure or immunosuppressive conditions.…”

“…Multilevel barriers may explain the widening rural-urban mortality gap, including alcohol and tobacco use and lower human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates. 4 Rural residents are often diagnosed with advanced-stage disease (III/IV) and have limited access to multidisciplinary oncologic care; health insurance, income, and education also likely contribute. 1 Further, White patients did not improve during the study.…”