Modifiable risk behaviors in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Use of tobacco products, excessive alcohol consumption, and high-risk sexual behaviors increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer and impacts treatment effectiveness after diagnosis. This study examined smoking and engagement in other modifiable behavioral risk factors and human papillomavirus (HPV) status in patients with head and neck cancer in order to facilitate identification and foster development of targeted interventions in high-risk patients.

Methods: Participants were 102 patients with head and neck cancer at a large urban cancer center who completed a self-report background and health questionnaire and provided a saliva sample for determination of the long-acting nicotine metabolite cotinine.

Screening for high-risk drinking in a college student health center: characterizing students based on quantity, frequency, and harms.

Objective: This study examined characteristics of students who presented to a college health center and screened positive for the 5/4 definition of high-risk drinking (five or more drinks in a row for men, or four or more drinks in a row for women, on at least one occasion in the past 2 weeks) and analyzed the students' data according to their reporting of alcohol-related harms.

Method: Secondary analysis of data obtained for an intervention study to reduce high-risk drinking in college students was used. Data on alcohol use and alcohol-related harms were obtained from Web-based Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaires and 30-day alcohol recall diaries (Timeline Followback calendar).