Prevalence of alcohol use over time in survivors of head and neck cancer

M Bryant Howren; Alan J Christensen; Nitin A Pagedar

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2025.104743

Alcohol use is a risk factor for the development of head and neck cancer (HNC) and continued use after diagnosis is associated with recurrence, comorbidities, and poor psychosocial outcomes. This retrospective observational descriptive study sought to report the prevalence of alcohol use in survivors of HNC from diagnosis through 10 years postdiagnosis.OBJECTIVESAlcohol use is a risk factor for the development of head and neck cancer (HNC) and continued use after diagnosis is associated with recurrence, comorbidities, and poor psychosocial outcomes. This retrospective observational descriptive study sought to report the prevalence of alcohol use in survivors of HNC from diagnosis through 10 years postdiagnosis.Adult patients with upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas from the head and neck oncology clinic at a large Midwestern healthcare system were eligible to participate. Between 1998 and 2014, 2095 patients reported alcohol use status at diagnosis. By 10 years postdiagnosis, this number was 187. Self-reported alcohol use was classified as current/previous/never.METHODSAdult patients with upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas from the head and neck oncology clinic at a large Midwestern healthcare system were eligible to participate. Between 1998 and 2014, 2095 patients reported alcohol use status at diagnosis. By 10 years postdiagnosis, this number was 187. Self-reported alcohol use was classified as current/previous/never.At diagnosis, 48.8 % reported currently using alcohol, 36.6 % reported previous use, and 14.7 % reported never using; 24.5 % of those with a history of alcohol use were likely problem users. At 1 year postdiagnosis, 44.7 % reported currently using alcohol, 40.2 % reported previous use, and 15.1 % reported never using. At 5 years postdiagnosis, 48.9 % reported currently using alcohol, 38.3 % reported previous use, and 12.8 % reported never using. At 10 years postdiagnosis, 42.2 % reported currently using alcohol, 44.9 % reported previous use, and 12.8 % reported never using alcohol.RESULTSAt diagnosis, 48.8 % reported currently using alcohol, 36.6 % reported previous use, and 14.7 % reported never using; 24.5 % of those with a history of alcohol use were likely problem users. At 1 year postdiagnosis, 44.7 % reported currently using alcohol, 40.2 % reported previous use, and 15.1 % reported never using. At 5 years postdiagnosis, 48.9 % reported currently using alcohol, 38.3 % reported previous use, and 12.8 % reported never using. At 10 years postdiagnosis, 42.2 % reported currently using alcohol, 44.9 % reported previous use, and 12.8 % reported never using alcohol.Continued alcohol use remains an issue over time in HNC survivors. Screening protocols should be incorporated into clinical workflow and more research is needed to understand correlates and degree of use in long-term HNC survivors to facilitate optimal recovery and adjustment during the survivorship period.CONCLUSIONSContinued alcohol use remains an issue over time in HNC survivors. Screening protocols should be incorporated into clinical workflow and more research is needed to understand correlates and degree of use in long-term HNC survivors to facilitate optimal recovery and adjustment during the survivorship period.

Prevalence of alcohol use over time in survivors of head and neck cancer

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