CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer risk perceptions and screening fears among high risk men: The role of tobacco, alcohol and oral health
1
University of California at Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, USA
2
University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, USA
3
UTHealth Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, USA
4
University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, Minneapolis, USA
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A112
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Oropharyngeal cancer incidence is rising; it is the 8th most common cancer among U.S. men. It presents in two major ways: the classic form, linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, and a newer form associated with human papillomavirus-16 and -18 (HPV), transmitted via oral sex. Gay and bisexual men experience high rates of tobacco use, alcohol use, and HPV, increasing their risk relative to heterosexual men. This study examines risk perceptions and screening beliefs in this population.
METHODS:
We recruited 1699 gay and bisexual men from two dating sites to complete an online survey. Participants reported tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sexual history, and oral health. They also reported perceived risk for oropharyngeal cancer and whether they feared what a doctor might find if screened. Outcomes were dichotomized, with significant bivariate variables included in multivariable regression models. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
RESULTS:
The average age was 41.5 years; 95% were cisgender and 80% identified as gay. High risk perceptions were associated with cigarette smoking (aOR=2.16 [1.49, 3.13]), dual tobacco use (AOR=4.19 [1.89, 10.02]), more sexual partners (AOR=1.09 [1.03–1.17]), and poor oral health (AOR=1.47 [1.08, 2.01]). Fear of screening was associated with being Hispanic (AOR=2.00 [1.34, 2.96]), queer/self-described sexuality (AOR=3.16 [1.08, 8.96]), and poor oral health (AOR=1.65 [1.19, 2.29]). Hazardous drinking was not associated with either outcome.
CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first study to demonstrate how gay and bisexual men’s oropharyngeal cancer risk perceptions vary by tobacco use, sexual behavior and oral health. Strong associations with smoking and dual tobacco use suggest cancer risk messaging is reaching this group, while the lack of associations with hazardous drinking indicates a gap in awareness. Poor oral health’s relationship to both high risk perception and fear of screening suggests a barrier to detection. These findings inform strategies for targeted cancer prevention. Health literacy, providing information to empower people to resist
Oropharyngeal cancer incidence is rising; it is the 8th most common cancer among U.S. men. It presents in two major ways: the classic form, linked to heavy tobacco and alcohol use, and a newer form associated with human papillomavirus-16 and -18 (HPV), transmitted via oral sex. Gay and bisexual men experience high rates of tobacco use, alcohol use, and HPV, increasing their risk relative to heterosexual men. This study examines risk perceptions and screening beliefs in this population.
METHODS:
We recruited 1699 gay and bisexual men from two dating sites to complete an online survey. Participants reported tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sexual history, and oral health. They also reported perceived risk for oropharyngeal cancer and whether they feared what a doctor might find if screened. Outcomes were dichotomized, with significant bivariate variables included in multivariable regression models. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.
RESULTS:
The average age was 41.5 years; 95% were cisgender and 80% identified as gay. High risk perceptions were associated with cigarette smoking (aOR=2.16 [1.49, 3.13]), dual tobacco use (AOR=4.19 [1.89, 10.02]), more sexual partners (AOR=1.09 [1.03–1.17]), and poor oral health (AOR=1.47 [1.08, 2.01]). Fear of screening was associated with being Hispanic (AOR=2.00 [1.34, 2.96]), queer/self-described sexuality (AOR=3.16 [1.08, 8.96]), and poor oral health (AOR=1.65 [1.19, 2.29]). Hazardous drinking was not associated with either outcome.
CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first study to demonstrate how gay and bisexual men’s oropharyngeal cancer risk perceptions vary by tobacco use, sexual behavior and oral health. Strong associations with smoking and dual tobacco use suggest cancer risk messaging is reaching this group, while the lack of associations with hazardous drinking indicates a gap in awareness. Poor oral health’s relationship to both high risk perception and fear of screening suggests a barrier to detection. These findings inform strategies for targeted cancer prevention. Health literacy, providing information to empower people to resist
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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