The 2019 Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week in light of the history of research on laryngeal cancer at the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Wrocław University Hospital

The Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Wrocław University Hospital has a history of research and treatment of laryngeal cancer spanning over 40 years. In response to the rapid growth in cancer occurrence, morbidity, and mortality, and in particular head and neck cancers, after the Second World War Polish doctors developed numerous programmes and established facilities dedicated to tackling this problem. Professor Stanisław Iwankiewicz, the rector of Wrocław Medical University in the 1970s and the director its Department of Laryngology, played a major role in the development of laryngeal cancer diagnosis and treatment methods in Poland.

Building on its historical role in cancer research, treatment, and prevention, the Department of Otolaryn­gology, Head and Neck Surgery of Wrocław Medical University continues to participate and lead on numerous programmes in this area. In 2019, the department participated in the Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. This study analysed data from 27 patients (15 male, 12 female), who completed the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) questionnaire and were consulted by ear-nose-thorat (ENT) specialists. Results confirm the usefulness of the PCI questionnaire and emphasise the importance of education in strengthening the prevention of head and neck neoplasms.