Trends in Head and Neck Cancer in Australia
Author Information
Author(s): Hocking J S, Stein A, Conway E L, Regan D, Grulich A, Law M, Brotherton J M L
Primary Institution: Centre for Women's Health, Gender and Society, University of Melbourne
Hypothesis
Changes in sexual behaviour are contributing to the increasing incidence of potentially HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers in recent birth cohorts.
Conclusion
Potentially HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer in Australia is increasing; the impact of HPV vaccination on these cancers should be monitored.
Supporting Evidence
- From 1982 to 2005, 8844 cases of potentially HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers were diagnosed.
- The incidence of potentially HPV-associated cancers increased significantly for both males and females during the study period.
- The age at diagnosis for potentially HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers decreased significantly over time for males.
- The proportion of cancers diagnosed at potentially HPV-associated sites increased from 18.60% in 1982 to 28.70% in 2005.
- Comparison site cancers showed a significant decrease in incidence among males.
Takeaway
More people in Australia are getting a type of throat cancer linked to HPV, especially younger people, and this might be related to changes in sexual behavior.
Methodology
Cancer incidence data were obtained from the National Cancer Statistics Clearing House database, covering the entire Australian population, and analyzed for trends from 1982 to 2005.
Potential Biases
Data were collected from multiple registries, which may have used different methods for handling sub-site cancers.
Limitations
The classification of cancers as potentially HPV associated was based on previous studies rather than actual HPV DNA assessment, and data on tobacco and alcohol use were not collected.
Participant Demographics
The study predominantly involved males, with a higher incidence of potentially HPV-associated cancers diagnosed at younger ages compared to comparison site cancers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.03, 1.15
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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