KEY POINTS:
  1. Over 75% of otolaryngology patients are aware of the carcinogenic effects of tobacco for head and neck cancer.
  2. Less than a third of ENT patients know alcohol is a risk factor for head and neck cancer.
  3. With the rise in HPV related cancers, knowledge of the high risk sexual behaviors associated with HPV head and neck cancer is poor.
  4. Patients with a history of head and neck cancer have mildly increased awareness of risk factors for head and neck cancer including alcohol and high risk sexual behavior.
  5. As an otolaryngology community, physicians need to intensify their educational outreach to promote more widespread knowledge of the risk factors for head and neck cancer.