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Conceiving a national head and neck cancer screening programme

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2015

D S Gogarty ,
A Shuman ,
E M O'Sullivan ,
P Sheahan ,
J Kinsella ,
C Timon  and
J P O'Neill
D S Gogarty*
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthesia, Head and Neck Surgery, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
A Shuman
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA
E M O'Sullivan
Affiliation:
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Cork University Dental School and Hospital, Wilton, Ireland
P Sheahan
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
J Kinsella
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
C Timon
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
J P O'Neill
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Darragh Gogarty, 20 The Grove, Skerries Rock, Skerries, Co. Dublin,Ireland E-mail: gogartyd@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

This study was undertaken to determine the optimum approach to screening for head and neck cancer based on international experiences.

Objective:

To determine whether or not head and neck cancer is suitable for screening, and, if so, what the ideal approach should be.

Methods:

An electronic search of online databases up to and including May 2014 was conducted. Key search terms included ‘head and neck’, ‘cancer’, ‘screening’, ‘larynx’, ‘oropharynx’ and ‘oral’.

Results:

Subset analysis of high-risk cohorts showed statistically significant improvements in early detection of head and neck cancer via screening.

Conclusion:

Current levels of public awareness regarding head and neck cancers are suboptimal, despite increased incidence and mortality. Scheduled and opportunistic screening, coupled with efforts to enhance education and health behaviour modification, are highly recommended for pre-defined, high-risk, targeted populations. This can enable early detection and therefore improve morbidity and mortality.

Keywords

Head And Neck CancerOral CancerCancerScreeningHuman Papillomavirus

Information

Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 130 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 8 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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