Are UK healthcare professionals equipped to provide information and support on Human Papillomavirus to patients diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck?

Aim:Incidence rates of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck cancer (HNC) are increasing. The aim of this study was to explore the availability of information and the knowledge and confidence of healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the cancer pathway to provide information on HPV to patients.Materials and method:An online questionnaire was designed using closed and open questions to investigate the availability of patient information for patients diagnosed with HPV-associated HNC; health professional’s knowledge of the information available; and their confidence in discussing the topic. The questionnaire was advertised to health professionals through the British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists website. Twenty-five health professionals from six professions across five UK Cancer Alliances completed the questionnaire between November and December 2018.Results:Nearly half of the participants did not know whether patients were routinely provided with information on HPV following an HPV-positive (HPV+) cancer diagnosis; 52% indicated that specific information was available within their hospital trust, however, there were inconsistencies with participants’ knowledge of the content of the information leaflets currently available. On a scale of 1–100, the mean confidence in providing HPV-related information was 58.Findings:Inconsistencies appear to exist with respect to information about HPV available to patients presenting with HNC. A need has been identified for the education of health professionals involved in the patient care to support information provision.