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Deprivation in relation to urgent suspicion of head and neck cancer referrals in Glasgow
Author(s) -
Zeitler M.,
Fingland P.,
Tikka T.,
Douglas C.M.,
Montgomery J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/coa.13077
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , head and neck cancer , cancer , pediatrics , demographics , family medicine , demography , sociology
Aim To examine deprivation measured by the Scottish index of multiple deprivation ( SIMD ) and its relation to urgent suspicion of head and neck cancer referrals. A secondary aim was to examine the symptomatology generating urgent suspicion of cancer ( USOC ) referrals by SIMD category. Methods All “urgent suspicion of cancer” referrals to the GGC ENT department over a one‐year period, between 2015 and 2016, were reviewed. Information was recorded anonymously and included demographics and red flag referral symptoms. Results A total of 1998 patients were assessed, 43.4% (n = 867) were male. A total of 171 (8.6%) patients had primary head and neck cancer. A total of 61 patients had other types of cancer, giving an all cause cancer rate of 11.6%. About 71.3% of primary patients with head and neck cancer ( HNC ) were male. The most common SIMD category observed was SIMD 1, the most common SIMD category yielding a primary head and neck cancer diagnosis was SIMD 1. Neck lump was the commonest symptom amongst all SIMD categories. Conclusion A link between deprivation and USOC referrals has been established. A difference in gender distribution between referrals and HNC was observed, more females are referred but a significantly higher number of patients with HNC are males. Neck lump is a very strong referral indicator for HNC and intermittent hoarseness is not. The findings from this analysis could be used to refine local referral patterns and priority of referral.