title: Evaluation of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness and Screening Status in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Early detection is a key determinant of HNC prognosis. Hence, raising awareness of this disease may improve survival rates. The present study evaluated the level of awareness and screening status for HNC in the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  An e-questionnaire was distributed during our HNC awareness campaign at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah. The questions assessed HNC knowledge and screening status among participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 112 respondents, 68% indicated that they had no knowledge of HNC. Social media was the major source of information (39%) for respondents. The majority (40%) believed that it was the joint responsibility of dentists, dental hygienists, and general physicians to screen for HNC; 82% had never been screened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge and awareness of HNC must be increased in the general population and among dental health professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia E-mail : talhazzazi@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Turki Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Alhazzazi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D061108:Social Media; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult