Get A-Head backs vital UK-wide head and neck cancer research study

A major UK-wide audit into head and neck cancers is about to get underway with backing from leading specialist charity Get A-Head. 

About 12,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year with patient numbers increasing by 30 per cent per decade, but there is currently no widescale audit of how the condition is diagnosed and treated.

Birmingham-founded Get A-Head has donated £40,000 towards the £270,000 cost of a two-year feasibility study to see whether existing data can be used to identify the areas of greatest potential for improvement in care and outcomes. 

Get A-Head director Danni Heath said:

“Without knowing what the situation is already, it’s very difficult to know what improvements need to be made and where, so I’m delighted that Get A-Head is able to support this study.

“The National Cancer Registration Dataset (NCRD) already holds information about everyone diagnosed with cancer in England. This project will look at whether we can use that data to identify differences in experience and outcomes for head and neck cancer patients depending on where they live, which NHS trust they are treated by, what combination of treatment they receive and what differences there are, if any, between different groups based on age, ethnicity, gender or levels of deprivation.

“Head and neck cancers can be particularly distressing for patients because of the very visible and practical problems treatment can cause, such as facial scarring, loss of speech and difficulties with eating or drinking.

“Get A-Head has worked tirelessly for 30 years to support patients to live a better life after head and neck cancer, and I hope that by supporting this project, we will be able to identify even more ways in which we can make a difference.” 

The project will be led by Professor Thomas Cowling, associate professor in health services research and clinical epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

It is supported by charities and medical specialists including the British Association of Head & Neck Oncology Nurses, ENT UK, North West Cancer Research, the British Association of Head & Neck Oncologists, the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs, Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, Restorative Dentistry UK and the Head & Neck Coalition, which includes Get A-Head.

Tamara Kahn, CEO of Oracle Head & Neck Cancer, which is also co-funding the research, said:

“The recent news about head and neck cancers having the longest treatment waiting times underscores the urgent need for action.

“This review is essential to improve outcomes for thousands and address the concerning variance in treatment approaches and outcomes across the UK. Our audit will provide crucial data to show how improvements are embedded and their real-world impact. Addressing this growing crisis requires collaboration and evidence-based action.”

The study has four key objectives:

• Develop and evaluate key performance indicators of diagnostic procedures, treatments and outcomes
• Assess variation in processes of care and outcomes between regions, providers and patient groups and assess current performance against guidelines.
• Identify the clinical areas with the greatest potential for improvement.
• Assess the feasibility of extending the research to less common head and neck cancer sites.

The Get A-Head Charitable Trust, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, raises money to improve the lives of patients by providing life-changing equipment which isn’t available through the NHS, funding training and education for healthcare professionals, offering complementary therapies to ease the effects of cancer treatment and funding research into the causes and treatments of head and neck cancers.

For more information about Get A-Head, including how to get involved in events, please visit: www.getahead.org.uk/.