Change in alcohol and tobacco consumption after a diagnosis of head and neck cancer: Findings from Head and Neck 5000.

BACKGROUND

Tobacco and alcohol consumption are risk factors for developing head and neck cancer, and continuation postdiagnosis can adversely affect prognosis. We explored changes to these behaviors after a head and neck cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were collected from 973 people newly diagnosed with oral cavity, oropharyngeal, or laryngeal cancer. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were additionally collected 4 and 12 months later.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high alcohol consumption reduced from 54.3% at diagnosis to 41.4% at 12 months, and smoking reduced from 21.0% to 11.7%. Changes in behavior were dynamic, for example, 44% of smokers at 12 months were not smoking at diagnosis or 4 months. Several factors were associated with alcohol consumption, whereas only tumor site and comorbidities were associated with smoking.

CONCLUSION

A diagnosis of head and neck cancer can result in important changes in alcohol consumption and smoking prevalence. However, these changes are dynamic in the first year after diagnosis.