Objective: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a debilitating and deadly disease. We evaluated an easy-to-administer and innovative rinse that assays soluble CD44 and total protein as HNSCC early detection markers. We examined whether the rinse was acceptable and whether the results would promote screening behavior.
Study design: This is a prospective observational study.
Methods: Participants (N = 150) from underserved, low-income Black American backgrounds completed assessments of satisfaction, intention to repeat test, and likely screening behavior after receiving results. Descriptive statistics, t tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted.
Results: The rinse was highly acceptable to participants and perceived to be acceptable among peers. Participants strongly agreed that they would perform the rinse as prescribed, engage in preventative behaviors if results indicated risk of cancer, and initiate treatment if they had a positive cancer finding. Employed participants slightly disliked the taste of the rinse but were more likely to schedule a follow-up appointment and engage in preventative behaviors based on the results. Those with health-care coverage (including public health insurance) reported that the test was harder to perform than those who were uninsured.
Conclusion: An easy-to-use rinse technique is acceptable and likely to promote screening behavior among Black Americans at risk for HNSCC. Given that many cancer screening modalities are considered unpleasant to undergo, this rinse holds promise for promoting screening behaviors and, thereby, may result in early detection of this potentially fatal disease.
Level of evidence: IV.
Keywords: Black Americans; Cancer screening; HNSCC; Head and neck cancer; Screening rinse.